LIMA — It is a small, unassuming building that has stood for years at 820 Findlay Road by Schoonover Park. With its red, white and blue pole hanging on the front porch, John’s Barber Shop has given owner John Golden a place to practice his craft for 50 years.
Golden’s experience as a barber goes even farther back, and even after celebrating his 80th birthday on Friday, Golden has no plans to put down the scissors.
“The business has been good to me,” he said. “I don’t think I’ve ever gotten up in the morning and hated to come to work.”
With 60 years of total experience in cutting hair, Golden could not begin to say how many heads of hair he has cut in his career, hearing them talk about their lives and experiences.
“Most of the time, it’s been good times,” he said. “But being in the business so long, I’ve lost some people, and sometimes that gets to you. But mostly, it’s been fine. At one point, I had five generations come in here.”
1. What made you want to start cutting hair?
My dad didn’t want me to go into the shop where he worked, and I had an uncle who was a barber. So maybe that’s where I got it from. I don’t know.
2. What school did you go to?
I went to Toledo Barber School. I started in July 1954 and graduated in 1955. In those days you graduated and you had to put in an 18-month apprenticeship with a master barber, then turn around and take another state test so you could get your master’s license and start your own barber shop, and that’s what I did. I apprenticed at Florence Barber Shop on North Main Street.
3. Where did you go then?
I went up and worked with Eddie Altenbaugh on the corner of Ewing and West. I was still single then and then I got married. I was there about five or six years, and then I bought this place and redid the whole thing.
4. How much has cutting hair changed since you started?
I’m still using the same clipper that technically I started with. The only thing that’s changed is the price. When I started, this clipper was $19.95. Now they’re probably $120.
5. Talk about some of your experiences cutting children’s hair.
Well, sometimes you can’t hardly keep them in the chair. I’ve had them all over. The girls say I put the “Golden Grip” on them.
6. What are some of the funny things that’s happened since you’ve been a barber?
I went on vacation for a fishing trip one time, and I came back to find a wooden sign hanging on the door saying, “1950s Hair Cut — 50 cents.” It was put up by a guy by the name of Eppie Epperson and Dick Carnes.
7. Have any of the kids followed you into the business?
I have a daughter who’s a beautician. She’s got her own shop up in Beaverdam, and I think she’s been there about 35 years. She’s still doing hair. I have a boy who’s a railroader up in Monroe, Michigan, and I have a girl who works at St. Rita’s, and I have a boy who drives for the RTA.
8. How long do you want to keep going?
I live by myself, and this is good for me. I’ve got guys who come in to shoot the bull. I love coming to work and doing what I do, and if I get tired, I go home. If I want to go fishing, I go fishing. If I’m not here, the guys know I’m fishing somewhere. I put a sign up in the back saying when I’ll be back.
9. What advice would you have for anyone who wants to be a barber?
I’d think twice about it. Today, it’s all about the benefits, the medical and things like that. If you’re self-employed, it all comes out of your own pocket. Some people will still go into it, and that’s fine, but guys like me, we’re the last of the Mohicans. I don’t think there will be any more.
.neFileBlock {
margin-bottom: 20px;
}
.neFileBlock p {
margin: 0px 0px 0px 0px;
}
.neFileBlock .neFile {
border-bottom: 1px dotted #aaa;
padding-bottom: 5px;
padding-top: 10px;
}
.neFileBlock .neCaption {
font-size: 85%;
}
