On a bitter-cold Friday morning when many people were reluctant to venture outside, the door at the Mike Ross Barbershop was swung open by a steady flow of customers who took a seat and waited patiently for their turn in the chair.
Barbers Mike Ross and Tony Pascarella have a loyal customer base that is likely increasing due to recent closures of other barbershops in the community. At last count there only remains Ross’s shop, as well as George’s Barbershop operated by George Pascarella at the rear of the Riddle House on Main Street and My Fathers Barbershop, located on Bolivar Drive and operated by Connie Ferris.
Visits with the barbers and some of their customers provided some speculation on why the profession has dwindled in the community, but remains popular with a number of individuals.
“I was 12 years old when I started barbering in Bradford” in 1941, Ross said while cutting customer Dale Callahan’s hair. “I was an apprentice with Libby Zannelli and Earl Butler” at the Forest Oil Building on Main Street. Later on he worked with Ernie Terrell, Patsy Rizzo and Rocco Rich. “There were 28 barbers in town at the time.”
He said his barber test in Erie consisted of doing a haircut, shave, shampoo, massage and applying a mud pack on an individual.
Pascarella said he apprenticed with Barb Costanzo in Lewis Run, followed by learning from Dominic Iaderosa in Bradford.
“After your (two year) obligation of apprenticing was fulfilled, you applied for an application to go for your test,” Pascarella explained. “The test was in Erie and you had to take your own guinea pig with you; I took my father.”
During the test he had to give his late father, Luke, a flat top cut as well as a shave with a straight-edge razor. He passed the test and began working as a barber in Bradford in 1959.
In surmising why fewer are going into the profession, Pascarella said he believes that the “young people don’t want to be tied up in a room for eight to 12 hours a day.
“But you can make a good living and put children through college,” he added.
In addition, students must now attend barber schools, which are fewer and farther between. That is followed by working with an established barber before taking a test for licensing.
Online listings for regional facilities include the Barber School of Pittsburgh, the Fortis Barber School in Erie as well as a school outside of Reading.
At George’s Barbershop, George Pascarella said he has worked in the profession 54 years at various locations in town. He had apprenticed with Frank Grandanetti for two years before taking his test in Erie. He has been at his present location for the past 25 years.
“I’ve stayed steady (with customers), but a lot of guys go to the beauty shop,” he said. “In the old days you shined your shoes, got a haircut and you were good for the weekend.
“It’s a shame it’s going out, because we’re all getting old,” he said of the local barbers.
When reached by phone, Ferris of My Fathers Barbershop said she has been in the profession for close to three decades. She said she is both a licensed beautician and barber.
“I would recommend it, but you have to work very well with your hands and be on top of everything” regarding equipment and knowledge of styles, she said. “I’ve been in this for close to 30 years and it’s a life-changer.”
Customers who commented on why they prefer barbers over beauticians included Max Cercone who was getting a haircut from Tony Pascarella.
“I never went to a beautician,” Cercone said. “I’d shave it myself at my house, but I usually look better after Tony takes care of it; Tony’s cut my hair since I was little.”
Cercone teased that if barbershops cease to exist in Bradford, he’ll look “like a goon the rest of my life because I’ll cut it myself.”
Callahan said if he had to he would go to a beautician, but prefers a barber’s cut. He said there is another reason he enjoys Ross’s haircuts.
“First of all he’s my brother-in-law, so I love it,” Callahan said with a laugh.
Another customer, Joe Costanzo, said his late father, Barb Costanzo, inspired him to take up the profession, which he used to pay his way through college. Joe Costanzo pursued another career afterwards.
“It’s a great profession and I loved it, but I had a nice career with Dresser,” he said.
Customer Gene DeFrank said he prefers barbers, but would go to a beautician “if forced.”
Another customer, Don Ulin, said he also preferred barbershops because of the camaraderie and tidbits of information gained during the visits.
“If you think there’s news down the street at The Era, you should hang out here,” Ulin joked.
