Carmine Merlino: Creator of Fine Men's Hairpieces

Carmine Merlino, "creator of fine men's hairpieces and ladies wigs," operates out of a funny little triangle of a storefront that occupies a narrow wedge of Emmons Avenue in Sheepshead Bay. His business is two stories tall, though both stories seem to be about as wide as a airplane bathroom.

Merlino has a lot of amusing signage. He calls his business a "Hair Replacement Studio." He boasts of a signature creation called "The Fantastico," which is "featherlight and undetectable."

By the looks of the signs, Carmine has been around for a while. I can find no history of the place or of Mr. Merlino. I don't recall ever seeing so prominent a business that specialized in toupees before, or a creators of men's wigs who was so obviously proud of his profession. There's an appealing innocence and straighforwardness to Merlino.