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Ken the barber celebrates 45 years
A Bloomfield business man will have free food, drinks and a chance to win a years worth of free haircuts Friday in order to celebrate more than four decades of business.
Ken Robertson, owner of Ken's Barber and Style Shop in Bloomfield, said after 45 years of being a barber in White's Square he still loves every minute of his job.
"It has been a good experience. God is good," Robertson said.
He even has his own slogan, "Solving the world's problems with one haircut at a time."
In order to show his appreciation to the community, he would like to see everyone stop by today.
"I open at 7 a.m. I am going to have iced down pop, some free pens and note pads, finger foods and a drawing for a year of free haircuts," Robertson explained.
To enter the drawing stop in anytime today, and enter your name.
"I think I am going to have my granddaughter Brittany do the drawing. She is 9," Robertson added.
Robertson started his barbering career as an apprentice under Dave Lynn when he was 20-years-old.
"I went to school with him, and all I can remember is Kenny wanting to be a barber," client Steve Schantz added.
Robertson worked under Lynn for 12 years, bought out the business and Lynn worked under him for a few years.
"I'm not sure, but I think I am the oldest business -- or at least proprietorship -- in Bloomfield," Robertson said.
Robertson said he has had clients of all shapes and colors, a lot of Crane employees and clients ranging from their first hair cut up to 95-year-old Marion Noel.
"I don't remember getting my haircut anywhere else," Jeremy Newman said while getting a trim Wednesday afternoon. "I'm 20 now."
Robertson said his personal rule for first haircuts is using tough love, noting he is kind to the children but firm too, and sometimes he even has to be firm with the nervous parent.
The barber starts off each morning with a pot of coffee and some gospel music, but added when the "Saturday crew" stops in he goes through two pots of coffee.
Afternoons at the barbershop consist of trims, chats and country music.
"I have threatened to yodel at the (clients) a few times, but they always stop me," Robertson added with a laugh.
He keeps long hours to accommodate his clients, and said in 38 years of marriage his wife, Linda, had to get used to the idea.
Over the years Robertson has seen a lot of changes in his clients and in his surroundings.
In 45 years he has seen a wide array of popular hairstyles, starting with flat tops to longer styles and now he says he is seeing a lot of short haircuts again.
When Robertson first became a barber haircuts were $1.25, and now sit at $12.
Unlike most local barbers, Robertson still gives hot shaves.
He has also seen a lot of change in the time he has been in White's Square, and feared a drop in business when White's closed.
"I was never hurt by that one bit," Robertson said. "The White family has been very good to me over the years ... I couldn't ask for a more perfect landlord. We are like a family out here."
He added once Ruler's opened in White's Square he has seen a spike in business, and has made new friends in his neighbors.
"I know everybody there from the top to the guy who stocks the shelves," Robertson said. "The president of the Ruler division of Kroger lives in Seymour, and he comes in to get a cup of coffee when he is in Bloomfield."
His love for the job is apparent in his welcoming smile and joking with clients. He said he likes to see men and women visit his barbershop.
"I have pretty good clientele. They are almost all perfect gentlemen," he said with a grin. "We try to have a good time."
Schantz added, "It's like Las Vegas in here. What goes on here, stays here."
Robertson said in five years he may visit the idea of retiring, but he has no immediate plans to do so.
"I had four heart catheters, and Dr. (James) Faris came to me and said he had good news and bad news. The good news was there was no blockages, but the bad news is you are going to work 10 more years," Robertson said. "Linda said, 'That doesn't surprise me.' "