Moses Hairstyling, around the corner on Crane from Golden Shears, is also closing towards the end of the month. Perhaps the era of the barbershop is coming to an end. <sigh>

Too bad. I wish Woody and the others success in carrying on a great service.

"Moses Hairstyling, around the corner on Crane from Golden Shears, is also closing towards the end of the month."

Damn!!

A review of the the new Menlo Park Barber shop that spun out from Golden Shears
Web Link

Does anyone know where Wayne Slocum is practicing his tonsorial skills?

Sam Valero is as warm to his new customers today as he was when he gave my son his very first haircut 17 years ago. He is a wonderful, personable, gracious, small-town-loving young man, who was smart to know exactly when to leave Golden Shears. I loved Golden Shears because of the history and because of Sam - but I'm glad that Sam has moved to a newly vibrant section of Menlo Park. The waiting area in the old Golden Shears was whimsical and perhaps even charming (?) but filthy; if I was the mom of a young child, I would find the waiting area at Menlo Park Barber Shop much more appealing. Thank you for the chance to experience Golden Shears for 17 years, and good luck to Sam and crew for investing their energy, hard-earned money, and love for the MP community into this new business. Kudos for taking on the challenge!

I remember the pompadoured man in a muscle shirt outside the front door next to his very shiny motorcycle parked on the sidewalk. Which of the barbers was he?

After we moved back to Menlo Park, Louis Arenas cut my husband's hair for nearly 20 years. Louis always took his time, making sure each hair was trimmed just so, including the phases when hubby had a mustache and/or beard.

Sitting in the waiting area, I had a chance to see children playing quietly with the ages-old toys and games accumulated over the years. Often I would see siblings draped over their parents or one another, happily occupied while another member of the family got a fresh hair cut. Often I cursed the springs in the antique chairs, but recognized what a blessing it was to witness families creating what will one day be some sweet memories.

Louis built that from nothing. And if, as one reader commented, the waiting area was a little worse for wear, I doubt there is any other institution of that age that isn't. The over-arching impression should be of the quality of the treatment of all who entered, and the environment of warmth, generosity, and community only possible with time.

Sam is an excellent barber, and will no doubt be a tremendous success. We wish him all the best, and have done so on his Facebook page and here on the Almanac. But it's important to note, he stands on the shoulders of a Menlo Park giant: Louis Arenas.