SOUTHINGTON - People walking down Center Street Wednesday paused to look in a shop window at an antique barber's chair that caught their eye.

Ray Fournier smiled as two women stood outside talking as they looked in the window. His store, Gentlemen's Best, specializes in old world men's grooming supplies such as double edged and straight razors as well as shaving accessories such as brushes and soap.

"It's a whole lot cheaper and better than using the four blade disposable monsters," Fournier said. "We really missed the boat when we decided to go to a more disposable society."

In addition to the chair from 1888, a working phone from 1925 sits behind the counter, an antique coffee grinder and two large glass cases containing shaving supplies from as far back as the 1200s.

The idea for the store came after Fournier was laid off by Trumpf Inc. of Farmington in June. He said he needed something to do and his wife suggested doing something completely different.

He already had a large collection Gillette razors, he took up the old shaving methods himself about three years ago and has become a bit of a wet shaving enthusiast. He said he does not know anywhere in the state to get good shaving supplies, so Fournier became a small business owner offering quality old world shaving products.

Many of the items can get pricey, but Fournier said he is putting together starter kits that will cost around $30 for people interested in trying out the shaving methods. For curious newcomers he will also demonstrate how to use the soap and brush to create lather and also how to use the blades.

"It's not difficult. It can be a pretty frightening experience at first," Fournier said of shaving with a straight blade. "But it's just a few simple instructions, being a careful and it's easy to do."

His products include his own signature line of shaving cream, soaps and cologne along with products from all over the world including England, Italy and Germany.

In addition to shaving products, he will also be offering wet shaves by appointment on Saturdays starting in a couple of weeks. He also bought a laser engraving machine to engrave the shaving equipment. People can bring in almost any type of item to have engraved such as wine glasses, bottles, marble slabs and even cigars.

"It's more of a destination store," Fournier said. "This downtown is really the only kind of location it would work, with the Town Green nearby and all the other shops in a small town setting."

Neighbors in the downtown area, such as Charles Cocuzza of the Southington Chamber of Commerce and Omega Communications, are excited to such a unique business nearby. Cocuzza said businesses downtown have a real synergy to help each other out.

"I think it's awesome that unique destination style stores are starting to pop up again," Cocuzza said. "People can go in. They don't have that as much anymore. You can just have a good time."

Across the street, Paul Raczynski, owner of the Fire and Smoke Cigar Shop, said he's already working together with Fournier. He has sent customers over to have items like humidors, laptops and cigars engraved.

"I was impressed at how well the cigars came out. People can have cigars engraved with their names on them," he said. "I think we will be able to do a lot of work together."

A cigar with flames on the front and the name Fire and Smoke engraved on the paper sits in the front window of Gentlemen's Best to showcase the types of items he can work on.

For more information on the store, products and offerings visit the Web site at www.gentlemensbest.com.

rrathsack@record-journal.com

(203) 317-2227