In the Los Angeles metropolitan area, trendy hair salons are as ubiquitous as palm trees and vanity license plates. But Reedy's Barber Shop is special. Accommodating all styles from conservative to rock-a-billy; flat-tops to rock star shags, this one-chair barber shop marries old-school with new style in what can only be described as classic. In fact, the tradition of great barbering has continued in this exact location on Mission Street for almost 100 years.A beauty shop opened here in 1912 when the structure was built. A barber shop took its place in 1924, operated by William Halminski. In 1955, William passed the sheers to his son Edward who continued until his own retirement in 1992 when he personally asked skilled local barber/stylist Steve Reedy to step in and set up his own shop. Steve opened his door in 1993.
If you're looking for a salon that offers chakra-balancing organic mud facials in addition to highlights -- this place isn't for you. But if you want a truly excellent hair cut at a low price in a great setting, you can't go wrong with Reedy's. If you ask around, chances are you'll hear something like, "Reedy is the best barber in town. Period." (My husband agrees.) You can read why guys love Reedy's so much here, here and here.
28 comments:
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Ramadhani-Indonesia
i love this one, just nice capture =)
There is so much to be said for tradition, not to mention, a good cut.
Your night shots just sing to me. This has excellent composition and the contrast of the black shadowy building with the bright geometry of the yellow lit windows. YAY
I'm with Judy. Love the yellow light and the darkness outside. So does Reedy's stay open late?
V
I've been here 28 years and I've never been to Halminski's or Reedy's. In fact, I'm not sure exactly where it is. It is apparent that my life would have been very different had I ventured into Reedy's years ago. And now there's not much left to cut...
A woman in a barbershop is much akin to a bull in a chinacloset. But I love peeking in the window at a hair artist at work. It's nice to see that some things never change. In this day of, "stylists" your picture is refreshing and a real man thing.
Sounds like a neat place for a haircute. Do you patronize Reedy's?? :)
A haircute! We have a winner!
Beautiful light and dark. Plus, my dad was a barber, so sentimental favorite, too.
I just scrolled down to the last photo, and realized you did the same thing here; love the rectangles.
I just love that shot. Bit of a noir Rockwell.
Reedy's sounds like Floyd the Barber from the Andy Griffith Show.
I get my hair cut at Ken's on Mission just over the border in San Marino. I have less hair than Mr. Earl, so I need a barber, not a stylist or salon. Ken's also old school - barber pole, one man shop, shave cream and straight razor to take care of the back of the neck, round mirrors on the wall, a row of metal armed, vinyl covered chairs along the wall for people waiting for a cut, and a good combination of sports and car magazines. The only thing missing from the barbershops of my youth is the Bazooka Joe bubble gum when finished.
I asked Ken how long he's been there and his response was that his father started a barber shop across the street in the
30's.
DBdubya, Reedy's is an old-school, on-chair barber who still uses a straight razor on the back of the neck who can also cut any current style and all in a setting that harkens back to Floyd the Barber from Mayberry -- if Floyd had beer in the fridge if you wanted one. That's why the guys love him so much.
Ben's Barber Shop up by OSH is pretty old school. Lots of animal heads and memorabilia there. And they have those massage machines that are strapped to the back of the hand and turn the hand into a massager.
love to see working men working late
It sounds like Ken's and Reedy's are very much alike, Laurie - except for the price. Kenny charges $13 for a regular cut and according to Reedy's website, he charges $20. And, I am sure that Ken doesn't have a website.
Old style barber shops are still one of the best places in town to catch up on all the latest man-gossip. I'm sure that Reedy's and Ben's are just as good as Kenny's.
What a lot of guys like about Reedy's is that while he's old-school, he can do all kinds of cuts. My hubby, for example, let his short hair grow out and his old barber didn't know how to trim it to keep it looking good. In fact, he just whacked it across the back. Reedy knows the old styles but also could do Sawyer's long shaggy hair cut from LOST. The ambiance and the prices are still traditional barber, but he's got the chops of anyone working at a chi-chi salon, too -- which is a rare find!
But Laurie, you've seen my hairline. Can you picture me at a chi-chi salon? Total waste of time, talent, and money.
We have a brunch of these barber shops up here in de northland.
Leave the chi-chi, chai-tea, chakra-balancing, organic mud facial salons for the WestLA, bicoastal persuasions.
Besides, the joint I go 2 attracts females and is dog friendly! None of these other joints mentioned that.
100 years! I never knew.
Well, I have to tell you all...my stylist is actually a barber...she told me that all the best stylists are barbers because they do the best haircuts!!! (of course she also told me that that's been a bone of contention between barbers and stylists forever!!!) She owns the shi shi salon and does all the shi shi accoutrements...including massage!!!
If you saw the photos of Frankie Manning in his obit, you know that he had no hair. One time I told him that soon I'd be needing to know the name of his hair stylist.
Hi again,
Welcome Ramadhani and cellini k!
Judy, thanks! I was driving on Mission the other night when I noticed Reedy's lights on and I had to stop and set up the tripod.
Yes, V. Sometimes Reedy's stays open late!
Halcyon, I've never had my hair cut here, but I'm tempted. I'm not crazy about the whole salon "experience" if you catch my drift.
I LOVE the typo haircute. That's what we all want, right? A haircute?
Mister E and Dbdubya, with or without hair you guys are both quite dapper!
Thanks for all the lively talk, everyone. Until tomorrow...
Nice photo! Sounds like there's some demand for the good ol' barber shop.
Leonard Marella also used to be a barber here, with Mr. Halminski. I read that he passed away just about a year ago. He was a wonderful guy and a longtime resident of SP.
Really amazing blog...amazing photo....
Thank you very much...
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