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Meredith Chesney modeled her retro barbershop after the quirky shops in the resort town of Gatlinburg, Tennessee. As a result, the place feels like an amalgam of a fifties general store, a kitschy hair outpost, and a Day-Glo carnival ride. Specializing in traditional barbering techniques for men and children, Chesney stresses that her place is not a salon; there’s no blow-drying, and the closest you’ll come to an appointment book is the clipboard sign-up sheet hanging on the wall. Brooklyn General earns its bread and butter instead on efficient, reasonably priced military buzzes, hipster shags, and some simple cuts in between. For kids, Chesney plants the little ones in a red airplane chair and keeps them distracted with a Gameboy. For visitors not seeking a trim, Chesney stocks up on old-fashioned confections like rock lollipops, licorice whips, and candy cigarettes. — Carolyn Murnick