A second-generation proprietor aims to leave his mark on the business while honoring its rich history.

Joseph and Mike’s Barbershop, located on Downtown Main Street, is one of those rare establishments with a deep-rooted history in the community.

Having served customers for over 60 years, the shop remains a living tribute to its past. Walls adorned with photos and memorabilia tell its story and pay homage to previous owners.

Now, Cosimo Pedulla is carrying the torch, determined to uphold the legacy of those before him. He took over ownership after his father, Joseph Pedulla, passed away in 2023. Joseph had previously inherited the business from the late and beloved councillor, Mike Boughton—both of whom continue to serve as guiding inspirations.

For Cosimo, the barbershop is more than just a place for haircuts; it’s a cherished institution.

Yet, while he embraces tradition, he is also focused on modernizing the business.

“I know this shop has history, but my haircuts are modern,” Pedulla explains. His goal is to preserve the shop’s nostalgic charm while ensuring its services stay contemporary.

One of the barbershop’s most cherished aspects is its social atmosphere.

“Some customers walk in even when they don’t need a haircut,” Pedulla says. “They just stop by to say hi, have a quick chat, and then head out.”

Pedulla’s journey into barbering mirrors Boughton’s in some ways—though with a unique twist.

Boughton was encouraged to pursue the trade by his boss in the 1960s. For Pedulla, the push came directly from his father.

One day, while chatting with customers at the shop, Cosimo’s father handed him a clipper and said, “There you go, give him a buzz cut.”

“I was like, ‘What are you talking about?’” he recalls with a laugh. At the time, he was uncertain about his future, having worked various jobs, including summers at his family’s bar in Italy.

None of those jobs felt right—until that moment. As he picked up the clipper, everything clicked.

“I realized I didn’t need to leave Milton to find a career,” he says. “My dad taught me the tricks of the trade. It took me about six months to grasp the basics, and then I started to feel confident. I knew this was what I wanted to do.”

Joseph Pedulla had joined Boughton as an employee in 2015. With years of barbering experience and an easygoing personality, he quickly became a perfect fit for the shop—and a close friend to Boughton.

“He was a really relaxed guy—no stress. That was his motto,” Cosimo’s brothers, Lorenzo and Carlo, recall.

Boughton had built a similar reputation in Milton, known for his generosity and warmth. His passing in 2018 from leukemia was deeply felt in the community. Fittingly, he passed away at Milton District Hospital—the same place where he had volunteered his services, offering free haircuts to patients.

Years later, Joseph Pedulla also passed away at the hospital, surrounded by loved ones, midway through watching a match between his favorite team, Inter Milan, and Manchester City.

Now, Cosimo Pedulla carries on the legacy, picking up where both Boughton and his father left off—preserving the past while shaping the future of Joseph and Mike’s Barbershop.