I never thought I'd find a photo of the interior of the barbershop in the Shopping Center, but I did. That's J. T. Farrell getting his hair cut by Tony Ruffino. I don't recognize who's in the middle chair, but I know that's Johnny Ruffino doing the barbering. I can't see the customer or barber in the first chair near the front window, but the barber was a small man with a metal brace on his leg. Never knew his name.
I can't identify any of the other men; maybe someone can help?
I can remember seeing Bruce get his first haircut in the middle chair in 1953 or '54. I guess Johnny gave it to him. Both my parents were there -- it was during my father's lunch hour. Bruce cried the whole time, but he drew a crowd of onlookers.
I have lots of memories of this barbershop. I recall my grandfather (Kelly) taking me to get a haircut. He got his cut and then I got mine. As he paid Johnny, he said, "My haircut costs $1.25, and his (meaning me) costs just $.50. That's not right ... he has a lot more hair on his head that I do. The charges should be reversed." Johnny laughed.
