More Than A Barber

Being a barber is about taking care of the people.

Anthony Hamilton

Late last week, I drove through Mt. Holly, NJ.  Mt. Holly (and Lumberton) was my hometown for 16 years of my life.  I drove past my old house on Glenwood Road in Lumberton.  I drove by my church (First Presbyterian Church) on Garden Street in Mt. Holly and my high school (Rancocas Valley Regional High School) on Jacksonville Road.  And I stopped on High Street to visit my old barber shop (Don’s Barber Shop).  As I stepped through the front door, my usual barber, Pat, smiled and said “Hello, Jon!”

I hadn’t been to Don’s Barber Shop in 16 (or more) years, and Pat still remembered me.  She even knew my name.

I climbed up into her chair (easier than I did that first haircut in the early 80s), and I asked her to give me a haircut.

Over the next 20-30 minutes, we caught up.  She told me about her 10-year-old granddaughter, and she asked about my parents and my brothers.  I showed her updated pictures of my family.  And Pat shared a few details about some of the people I knew from my time living in the area.

As I walked out, Pat offered me a pretzel rod.  The price of the haircut was a bargain, and I benefited with great conversation, great memories, and a great pretzel rod.  I quickly ran back to my car to retrieve a copy of my book, Rooftop Reflections.  I walked back in the store, and gave Pat a signed copy as a thank you.

At Don’s Barber Shop, you get more than a haircut.  You get a smile.  You get a strong sense of community and of belonging.  And you get reminder of the truly good things in life.