Otis & Finn
We're highlighting LIC LGBTQ+ personalities and businesses in celebration of Pride Month!
Shawn Dixon, owner of Otis & Finn, a barber shop and community outpost, shares more on the importance of Pride Month, along with what makes LIC a special community.
What do you find most interesting about owning and operating a business in LIC?
Our two barbershops opened in LIC in 2014, before the neighborhood’s residential boom. It’s exciting and rewarding to witness and help steer LIC’s evolution as a thriving, modern and diverse community. Being an LGBTQ+ owned business in LIC has been an amazing journey as we've created a space for everyone, providing much needed services to our neighbors, that is also fun, whimsical and inclusive. We love that we’re also able to create a community center of sorts for the people around us. That makes our team happy to come to work every day!
What does Pride Month mean to you?
Pride month for us is our favorite time of the year because you do feel a noticeable shift in the mood of the city. People are outwardly a little more free, a little more loving, and a little more forgiving. It's a time where we as an LGBTQ+ owned business make sure we are fully putting as much love, acceptance, and patience as possible into our own environment. We definitely try to carry that energy throughout the rest of the year, too. Pride month is also a reminder for us to continue to fight for equality and safety for all members of our community, and is a reminder to celebrate the victories and progress we've made thus far.
Find Otis & Finn at the following locations in LIC:
11-11 44th Road
45-22 Pearson Street
otisandfinn.com
Staff photo courtesy of Otis & Finn
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