Tucked into Salons by JC at One Boerum Place in Downtown Brooklyn, Mat Blak New York is more than a barbershop; it’s a sanctuary where men can leave the hustle of New York streets and truly unwind. It’s a space where a haircut might come with a side of hand-arranged flowers, where jazz floats through the air, and where skincare and haircare are treated as an essential practice, not a luxury. 

Mat Blak New York was born from a simple but powerful observation. Founder Ken Marcelle, who grew up surrounded by well-groomed men, noticed that when a man takes care of himself, something shifts — not just in how he looks, but in how he shows up.

“When someone who carries a lot of responsibility takes care of themselves, everyone around them benefits,” he explains. “Their partner, their children, their whole household.”

But the vision was never just for fathers or husbands. It was for any man carrying weight — whatever that weight looks like. That became the foundation for Mat Blak New York: a place to exhale, step away from the hustle, and just be. “I wanted to create a space where men can unwind and step away from the streets of New York, which are all hustle and kind of crazy.” 

Ken wanted to offer more than just excellent cuts, and Inspiration came from an unexpected apprenticeship with Sarah Ryhanen of Saipua, where the founder learned the art of floral design.

“I incorporated floral design into Mat Blak New York as a way for men to buy flowers – for their partners, for their daughter’s recital, for themselves,” he shares. What started as retail arrangements has evolved into event-based design and home installation services, perfectly suited to Downtown Brooklyn’s residential community. 

And these aren’t your grab-and-go bouquets. Ken sources flowers and unique accents that go beyond garden variety. Valentine’s Day and Mother’s Day have become major floral seasons, with clients trusting Mat Blak to deliver something truly special.

The Full Mat Blak Experience 

The studio offers comprehensive services including expert barbering with beard specialties, express facials, deep conditioning treatments, massage, and body hair grooming. Recently, the founder has expanded into natural hair services—loc maintenance, loc starting, and conditioning—representing both personal growth and a commitment to serving the full spectrum of his community. 

Music is integral to the Mat Blak experience. Ken is also a jazz DJ, and his carefully curated playlists evolved into Jazz Snob. He’s currently building a broader jazz network and expanding his musical vision, just as he’s expanded his service offerings.

Why Downtown Brooklyn 

After nine years of cutting hair solo, joining Salons by JC has been transformative. “It’s nice to be part of a community of other beauty creatives,” the founder says. 

The location attracts a broader clientele, and loyalty is evident. During our interview, a longtime client and mentorwalked in for his regular haircut, having followed Ken through every move over the years. “He taught me a lot about being a business owner,” the founder says.  

A Holistic Vision 

What makes Mat Blak New York remarkable is how jazz, flowers, and grooming services connect to create an environment for the man who wants to look sharp, bring home flowers, and who appreciates good music and expert craftsmanship. 

In Downtown Brooklyn’s landscape of creative entrepreneurs, Mat Blak New York is redefining what men’s grooming can be: one expertly trimmed beard, one hand-arranged bouquet, and one perfectly curated jazz playlist at a time. 

For appointments or custom floral inquiries, visit the Mat Blak New York website.  

Interested in being featured in a Small Business Spotlight? Contact us at saballah@downtownbrooklyn.com.