Charlie’s Haircuts of Distinction

Not a walk in Barber shop. I walked in. There was one barber. He said I should come back in 2 hours. You should make a salon style appointment.

When I was little, I used to occasionally accompany my Dad when he went to get his hair cut at the barber shop. The place he went was rather descriptively called «The Barbers.» It was run by guys with many years of training/​experience. A haircut took well over 30 minutes and I’d listen as my Dad and the guy cutting his hair would talk about sports and events since the last time in.
Fast forward 30+ years. My hair is curly and hence quite forgiving. I suspect an orangutang with hiccups could do my hair and I’d challenge anyone to know the difference. As a result, I frequent a major chain that costs about ten bucks w/​a coupon. A hair cut rarely lasts more than 10 minutes. While convenient, there’s no sense of connection or relationship. The person who cuts your hair is randomly assigned based on who’s next in queue.
Recently, my Dad suggested I try «Charlie’s Haircuts of Distinction.» Out of a sense of filial duty, I agreed to check it out. I made an appointment and was able to get in the same day. I showed up at the appointed hour and gave the place a quick once over. The décor was up to date, but it definitely had the feel of an older barbershop – complete with older demographics – lots of grey and white hair among both the well groomed stylists and their clients. Seeing this, I was a little apprehensive about whether I might emerge from the place with an «old man» hair cut (e.g. Donald Trump comb-​over).
My fears turned out to be unwarranted. The gentleman who cut my hair spent more than 30 minutes making sure everything was just right. In addition to pleasant conversation, he frequently checked in to make sure that what he was doing was consistent with what I wanted. I can’t be entirely objective, but I think I emerged one well-​coiffed dude – something my wife confirmed when I got home. One of the better haircuts I’ve had in years.

I’ve been going to Charlie’s off and on since I was a kid (over 30 yrs). Whenever I come home to Minnesota I treat my hair to the best cut in the country!

Charlie’s is a great barbershop. It’s an enduring place where they know your name, sort of Cheer’s but without the beer. I’ve been a customer since the early 80’s and it was my mom sending me with pre-​written check in hand. Now, Jim knows exactly how I like it cut, and he knows that I like it a little shorter in the summer.
I’ve been to chain salons while traveling for extended periods and they are nothing but quick, assembly line stylist. I would take Charlie’s any day!