by Chrissy Meyer
Communications Intern
Iowa State University Extension to Communities
Perched on his barber chair, Larry Hall has watched 36 years worth of changes to the Fairfield square.
"It doesn't matter what business comes, it's always changing," Hall said. "Things keep changing all the time. Whether you like it or not."
Over the years, Hall has witnessed the migration of grocery stores and doctors' offices off the square to make room for a parade of retail stores and restaurants. About the only thing that hasn't changed on the square may be Hall and his shop. Though his big picture windows have been replaced by smaller ones and the shop itself has shrunk due to several remodeling projects, Hall continues cutting the hair of the faithful customers who come in to see him whenever they need a little off the top and sides.
A social institution in small towns, barber shops have been home to generations of talk about the weather, crops and town gossip. Sometimes, businesses like Hall's that have been located on community squares for generations have contributed much to the economic vitality of Main Street, but sadly, these cultural icons are slowly becoming a thing of the past.
"The sad truth is that barber shops are dying," said Stuart Preston, executive officer of the Iowa chapter of the National Hair Professionals, a professional barbers' association. Preston has been a barber for 29 years and he, too, has witnessed a lot of changes to the profession.
Preston said small towns seem to be the last stronghold for traditional barber shops. People still come to the barber to catch up on local news, have a cup of coffee or enjoy a game of cards.
"In smaller towns, barber shops are still places where people go and visit, but they used to be a place where people would meet. The minister would come in early Sunday morning for a shave before the service, but all that just doesn't happen much anymore," said Preston.
Preston said the death of barber shops has been caused by what he calls the "hamburgerization" of the industry. He said people are more interested in getting their hair cut quickly and conveniently and mallwalk-in shops and franchises cater well to those types of customers.
In addition, numbers of barbers in the state's four barber schools has dropped dramatically in the last few years. Preston said currently there are about 200-250 students enrolled in barber schools compared to more than 1,000 students enrolled in cosmetology schools across the state. As a result, last year there were only 47 new barbers licensed in the state.
Also, Preston said there were 84 deaths in the barber profession last year. For a profession with an average age of 57, and very few young barbers entering the field, the future looks bleak.
But as Preston points out, things are always changing. There is no doubt that barber shops have a prominent place in small towns, and that's where they will continue to survive. Preston said barber shops add much more to the community than simply improving the looks of its residents.
"They provide stability. Whether they're on the square or Main Street, they provide a place for people to go where someone will listen to you. I have people come in and say, 'I don't really need my hair cut, but I just had to talk to someone,'" Preston said. "You're like a bartender, but if you're smart, you'll keep your mouth shut and don't give advice."
As for Hall, he believes when he's gone the corner store that has been decorated with a barber pole since the early 1930s will become home to yet another retail store or restaurant.
"Unless it changes. I guess everything changes," he said.
Contacts:
Terry L. Besser, ISU
Extension Sociology, (515) 294-6508
Del Marks, ISU Extension
Communication Systems, (515) 294-9807
