GUILDERLAND — One man can set the course for generations.

When he was 15, Gregory Zorian’s mother took him to a barber shop in Watervliet to learn a trade, and, next Tuesday, his son and grandchildren will be hosting a celebration in honor of the opening of his first shop 73 years ago at the family’s newest barber shop, in the 20 Mall.
"I just idolized him," said Gregory Zorian Jr., of his father. "As a kid, I loved hanging out in his shop" I loved watching him work."

He followed in his father’s footsteps, opening his first barbershop in what is now Cosimo’s Plaza in Guilderland in 1964. Most recently, he opened a shop, set with big leather couches and the smell of shaving cream, with his two children, Gregory Zorian III and Nicole Zorian, who have also taken up the family tradition.

Each of them spent two years as an apprentice to their father before taking the state-licensing exam.
"I just thought I’d give it a try," said Mr. Zorian III of how he began in the business. "All of a sudden, 17 years have gone by."

Ms. Zorian hadn’t initially intended to follow the family trade either, but she’s been carrying the torch for 12 years. She has developed a knack for working with disabled children, her father said, and she’s been cutting the hair of one autistic boy for 10 years.

The Zorians pride themselves on accommodating young and old alike.
"There’s a lot of tradition in a men’s barber shop," said Mr. Zorian Jr. "A lot of our business is the father-son thing."

Standard services for children and adults range from $15 to $25, but on Tuesday, Oct. 16, The Zorians will be offering one-dollar haircuts at their Guilderland store, at the corner of Routes 155 and 20, in honor of the family patriarch, who began giving haircuts when they cost only a dollar.