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Shave and a haircut, two bits. Well, not quite two bits, but the hairstyling and barber services at Astor Place Hairstylist are some of the least expensive in the city, with prices starting in the very low two digits. Now in its third generation of family ownership, Astor has been around since 1947, when it was founded as a five-chair barbershop. Today, it’s an institution, one with about 75 (yes, seventy-five) chairs, one for each of its loyal, long-time employees. (That’s down from an all time high of 100.) The cavernous, bare bones space weaves its way around hair cutting station after station, each labeled with a stylist’s name and decorated with inspiring fashion-magazine photos and more than a few celebrity-client headshots. Services start at the basic—shampoo, haircut, blow-dry—and go on up to perms, color, braiding and even extensions and Japanese straightening. Most clients are walk-ins, though a few of the stylists take appointments. The clientele comes from all over the city and, according to the owners, includes both those so young they’re coming in for their first haircut and so old, they’re coming in for their last. — Andrew Sessa