Hair, Coffee & a Friendly Ghost: Scissor and Fork Is Irving Park's Most Unique New Spot

By Socialhood News · Il/Chicago/Irving Park · May 15, 2026

Irving Park has a new neighborhood gem — and it just might be the most charming (and perhaps most haunted) business to open on the Northwest Side this year. Scissor and Fork, a one-of-a-kind hair salon and café hybrid, has officially opened its doors in the neighborhood, bringing together four talented stylists and a cozy café concept under one roof. Owner Ash Grant, a former funeral industry professional turned cosmetologist, transformed a storefront that had housed a Chinese restaurant for about 50 years into a warm, thrifted-furniture-filled retreat she describes as feeling "like home."

The café side of the business serves gluten-free pastries from Andersonville's beloved Defloured Bakery and specialty coffee from Roscoe Village's Hexe Coffee Co. — a curated lineup that shows just how thoughtfully Grant has crafted this neighborhood hangout. The salon is open Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., while the café runs from 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. on those same days. And yes — Grant cheerfully admits the space is "definitely haunted," with lamps falling and objects moving on their own during late-night renovation sessions. Luckily, the spirit seems friendly.

Grant developed her business plan through Northeastern Illinois University's "Become Your Own Boss" incubator program, making Scissor and Fork a true homegrown Irving Park success story. Whether you're due for a fresh cut, craving a gluten-free pastry, or simply curious about the resident ghost, this is one new neighborhood spot worth checking out. Have you visited Scissor and Fork yet? Tell your neighbors what you think in the comments below!

Sources:
1. https://blockclubchicago.org/2026/03/31/scissor-and-fork-a-definitely-haunted-salon-and-cafe-opens-in-irving-park/