De'Angelo Boynton remembers growing up with his grandfather Lester Hankerson and Otis Miller in Stag's Barbershop in Avondale. The barbershop has been a neighborhood icon since it was started in the 1950's, and has been a point of pride for residents and an attraction for others.
"I grew up in the barbershop watching them cut hair of people like Muhammad Ali and James Brown," said Boynton who now owns and operates Stag's.
Some things have changed though according to Boynton. For one, the barbershop has relocated from its original location nearby into a 1,400 square-foot location newly renovated by Cincinnati-based
Model Group.
"The times have changed since Stag's first started, and there was a lot of criminal activity around Burnet Avenue," said Boynton. "I'm very glad to see Children's Hospital, the
Uptown Consortium and the Model Group doing what they're doing to change the neighborhood."
The change has been dramatic with a
slew of new midrise buildings popping up along Burnet Avenue to serve the growing medical needs of
Cincinnati Children's Hospital among others. But the transition period has been difficult on Avondale according to Boynton who says that only one other neighborhood business still remains in the district other than his own, so he was very grateful when Model Group approached him about locating in the newly renovated space with upper-floor apartments last year.
The new Stag's Barbershop now includes a full beauty saloon run by Verna "Mickey" White who takes care of hair, nails and feet treatments. The barbershop portion of the Stag's remains strong with Boynton and Charles Hemphill running that portion. Stag's relationship with the
Avondale community has remained with the move into the new space as well.
"I do a lot of work in the community, and I often cut hair for free for students at
Rockdale Academy and others in the neighborhood who often can't afford to pay," explained Boynton.
After a tremendous first week of business in the new space Boynton is encouraged about the shop's future. Open Monday through Friday from 8am to 6pm, and Saturday from 8am to 4pm customers can visit the shop at 3501 Burnet Avenue (
map). Men's haircuts are $15 and $20 for hair and face while children's cuts cost only $10. For additional information about beauty saloon pricing please call (513) 751-7824.
Writer:
Randy A. SimesPhotography by Scott BeselerStay connected by following Randy on Twitter
@UrbanCincy
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