New Orleans isn't exactly a place where things happen "by the book." You've got brass bands playing at funerals and drive-thru daiquiri shops. It’s a city of weird, beautiful contradictions. But if you want to understand the actual soul of the place—the part that doesn't just show up on a tourist postcard—you have to look at Mr Chills New Orleans.
Honestly, calling it just a "barber shop" feels like a massive understatement.
If you’ve ever driven down South Carrollton Avenue, you’ve probably seen the sign for Mr. Chill’s First Class Cuts. It’s sitting there at 2736 S Carrollton Ave, looking like a classic neighborhood staple. But for locals, it represents something much heavier. It’s a symbol of how New Orleans refuses to quit, even when the water is literally up to the roofline.
The Man Behind the Clippers: Wilbert "Mr. Chill" Wilson
Basically, you can't talk about the shop without talking about the man himself. Wilbert Wilson, known to everyone as Mr. Chill, wasn't just a guy who was good with a pair of fades. He was a community pillar.
When Hurricane Katrina ripped the city apart in 2005, Mr. Chill’s original shop in Pigeon Town was underwater. Everything was gone. Most people would’ve just packed up and headed for Houston or Atlanta and never looked back. Not Chill.
He grabbed a generator, a tent, a folding chair, and a box of clippers.
He set up shop in the parking lot of a wrecked Shell gas station at the corner of Napoleon and Claiborne. Imagine that for a second. The city is a ghost town. There’s no power. No running water. And here is this guy, standing on the concrete between abandoned gas pumps, offering haircuts to National Guardsmen and first responders for free. For everyone else? It was "pay what you can."
He stayed on that concrete for a whole year.
That’s where the legend of Mr Chills New Orleans really started. It wasn't just about grooming; it was about giving men a place to feel normal again for thirty minutes. It was a "pop-up" before pop-ups were a hipster trend. It was survival.
More Than a Fade: The Social Mission
Mr. Chill eventually got a "real" shop again, thanks in part to a fundraiser held by fellow barber Aiden Gill. That’s the spot on Carrollton that everyone knows today. But he didn't stop at just running a business.
He started programs that actually mattered:
- Close Ties: A program that taught young men how to tie a necktie and, more importantly, how to carry themselves with dignity.
- Walk A Mile For A Child: An initiative aimed at supporting neighborhood youth and providing a safe space for kids to do homework.
- Cuts for Confidence: Providing free haircuts for students at Lafayette Academy so they could start the school year feeling like they belonged.
Kids were always welcome to just "hang out" in the shop. You didn't even need to be getting a cut. If you were a kid from Holly Grove or Mid-City and you needed a place to be safe, Chill had a chair for you. He was an after-school tutor, a mentor, and a father figure to a whole generation of New Orleanians.
What’s it Like Inside Today?
Sadly, Wilbert Wilson passed away in late 2019 after a battle with pancreatic cancer. He was only 51. The city felt that one—thousands gathered for his "home-going" service. It was the kind of send-off reserved for kings.
But here is the cool part: Mr Chills New Orleans didn't close its doors.
His widow, Joyce Wilson, and the barbers he mentored—like Josh Ferrand—have kept the legacy moving. Josh actually manages the shop now and runs a non-profit called Millennial Mindset that continues Chill’s philanthropic work.
If you walk in today, you’re going to see those iconic red leather chairs. You’re going to hear "shop talk"—everything from Pelicans trade rumors to local politics. It’s a mix of everyone. You might see a college kid from Tulane sitting next to a legendary local doctor or a young teen getting his first "real" haircut.
Current Services & Pricing (Give or Take)
Because this is a real place and not some corporate franchise, prices can fluctuate, but generally, here is what you're looking at:
- The Standard Cut: Around $40. It’s precision work.
- Kids (18 & under): Usually $25. They still prioritize the youth here.
- The Works: You can get a haircut and a wash for about $60, or go full "first class" with a hot towel shave for $80.
- Senior Citizens: Discounts are still a thing here, usually around $25-$30.
They use an app called Squire for bookings now, which is a bit of a jump from the old-school "just show up and wait" days, but it’s necessary because the place stays packed.
Why People Still Choose Mr. Chill's
Look, you can get a haircut anywhere. There are plenty of fancy salons in the Garden District that’ll give you a craft beer while they trim your beard. But Mr Chills New Orleans offers something those places can't buy: history.
People go there because they remember the tent at the Shell station. They go there because their dad took them there. They go there because when you sit in those chairs, you aren't just a customer; you're part of a lineage of people who helped put the city back together.
It's a "First Class" experience not because of the fancy pomade, but because of the way they treat the person in the chair.
What Most People Get Wrong
One big misconception is that the shop is "just for the neighborhood." Honestly, that's not true. One of the reasons Chill was so successful is that he could talk to anyone. He used to say he "connected people together who wouldn't normally be together."
The shop is incredibly diverse. You’ll see every race, class, and zip code represented. It’s one of the few places in a still-segregated city where the "neutral ground" actually exists inside the four walls of a business.
Another thing? People think since the founder passed, the "magic" is gone. If you talk to the regulars, they’ll tell you the standard hasn't dropped. The barbers there feel a responsibility to do right by Chill’s name. Every fade is a tribute.
Practical Steps for Your Visit
If you're planning on heading over to Carrollton for a cut, don't just wing it.
- Download the Squire App: Search for "Mr. Chills First Class Cuts." Appointments are basically mandatory these days if you don't want to wait three hours.
- Ask for Josh or Emanuel: While all the barbers are vetted, Josh Ferrand is the one carrying the torch for the community programs, and his attention to detail is legendary.
- Bring Cash for Tips: While they take cards/apps for the service, the barbers always appreciate old-school tips.
- Check the Hours: They’re usually open Tuesday through Friday (9 AM - 6 PM) and Saturday (8 AM - 3 PM). They are closed Sunday and Monday—barbers need a weekend too!
- Park Carefully: Carrollton Avenue can be a nightmare for parking. Look for spots on the side streets near the shop, but keep an eye on those New Orleans parking signs. They are ruthless.
Supporting Mr Chills New Orleans is more than just a grooming choice. It’s a way to keep a specific piece of New Orleans history alive. It’s a vote for the local guy who stayed when everyone else left.
Go get a line-up. Sit in the red chair. Listen to the stories. It’s the best $40 you’ll spend in the city.