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The old barber shop has become extinct over the last 20 years, and the younger men and boys have lost the camaraderie of gathering for hours to discuss and debate the world’s problems over a haircut.
Many a tale has been told in the town barber shops where the menfolk used to gather on Saturday morning, from the biggest fish story to the best of the moonshine runners during the Prohibition. And no one could recall as many stories as A.V. Hardin and Jack Mintz, who were two beloved barbers who passed away a few years ago.
Chairs would line down one wall in front of the barber chairs so everyone could be in on the conversations of the day. The laughter from shops would spill out into the sidewalks and always bring a smile to those passing by.
In an interview that I did with A.V. Hardin in 1995, he was still barbering when he was in his 80s. “It would be hard to say how many haircuts have been given over the past 50 years,” he said, but both the barbers agreed, the times have certainly changed, especially the haircuts.
“My Daddy (Pearlie Hardin) opened the barber shop on Depot Street in the early 1920s,” which back then was referred to as Main Street across from the train depot. Hardin said, “He later moved the shop to Locust Street in March of 1946, and I have been here ever since.
“I remember when I was a little boy that my Dad would keep his shop open after midnight. We didn’t have any street lights then, and it would be so dark on the trail up Beaver Creek that he could not see where he was going, but he knew his way home through the mountains.”
A.V. remembered how busy the town used to be on Saturday night and said you could not walk for the crowds of people. Just about every weekend they had a street dance where the A&P parking lot was located and local musicians came to make music.
“Andrews is a great place to live,” A.V. said. “You can’t find a place any better.”
Jack Mintz had another barber shop on Main Street and the last few years in the small shop located in the A&P building, where I did his interview. “This used to be an apple orchard behind the Tidwell House that sat on the corner of Main and Locust streets, and Dr. Scruggs had his office in it, but not many people remember that.”
Some of the old timers who were Jack’s customers were Edgar Wood, Lee Watkins, the two Cover brothers, and a colorful character named Squeaky Jim Birchfield, who had a moonshine still under one of the town buildings, unbeknown to the revenuers.
Jack Mintz stood in the window while he barbered and said he used to know 90% of the people on the street.
“There used to be all kinds of stuff going on here in town, but for years I watched the town move away, but it is coming back now.” And he agreed that you can’t keep up with all the new people moving in.
The scenes out in front of the barber shops were like a Norman Rockwell painting. Older gentlemen like Roe Young, John Christy and Mr. McKeldrey would be dressed in their tie and sport coats in conversation, but pausing to tip their hats at the ladies passing by.
The stripes on the old barber poles were faded, and like the scents of spice and hair tonic, things have changed. We are left with only the memories of those who have gone before and the incredible legacy they have left us.
Kandy Barnard is a columnist for the Cherokee Scout. To talk about the Andrews Valley, call her at 828-361-3268 or email kandybarnard@gmail.com.