Haircuts and history shape Black-owned barbershop
Story by Clarissa Dean
Photos by Ella Oakley
Design by Breanna Burba
Editor’s Note: This article was originally released in Issue 18 of the WKU Talisman print magazine. Click here to read more articles from the Talisman’s semesterly print.
Laughter fills the atmosphere inside Shake Rag Barbershop as connections grow between the barbers, clients and community. Owner Chris Page said he looks forward to coming into the barbershop every day.
“It’s more than just a job,” Page said. “It feels more like a second home.”
Page said that he and the other barbers stay connected inside and outside of the barbershop.
He also said that there is a salon attached to the building, which the barbers frequently stay connected with.
“We talk to each other every day, go out to eat and hang out with each other outside of work all the time,” Page said. “While it is a job, it almost feels like we’re all hanging out.”
Page said the barbershop is deeply rooted in the community. Located at 301 State St., the barbershop has been around since 2018, according to their website. Page said that the barbershop is one of the areas’ only Black-owned barbershops and is located in a historically Black neighborhood that goes back to the 1800s.
“Being a person of color myself, the history that lies inside this district makes me proud to contribute to the community,” Page said.
According to the Bowling Green Area Convention and Visitors Bureau’s website, connections can be seen surrounding the barbershop as it lies inside the Shake Rag Historic District, recognized for its historic land significant to African American history.
Historic sights can be seen across State Street, such as the former location of State Street High School at 202 State St., according to the Bowling Green Area Convention and Visitors Bureau’s website. Built in 1885, the high school was the first public school for African Americans in the area.
In addition to the high school, according to the Bowling Green Area Convention and Visitors Bureau’s website, State Street Baptist Church was first built in 1898 at 340 State St. Still standing today, the church is the oldest African-American church in the area.
“I’m grateful to be the owner of this barbershop in such a historic place,” Page said. “The culture means so much to me, and we are proud to keep it alive.”
Outside of the barbershop, Page said he is also a preacher and incorporates bits of faith into the barbershop. Inside the shop, the top of the back wall reads “The Last Haircut,” with the letters “T” turned into crosses. Page said this is inspired by “The Last Supper,” symbolizing Jesus’s sacrifice.
“My faith means everything to me because it allows me to believe in things,” Page said. “It gives me hope when I’m hopeless and gets me out of bed in the mornings.”
Page said that conversations within the barbershop revolve around Jesus as much as any other topic.
Additionally, family history is deeply rooted within the barbershop. Page said being a hairdresser has been in his family since the 1800s.
He said his great-grandparents, Leticia Page and Joseph Page, were barbers in Page’s hometown, Horse Cave, Kentucky. Additionally, his aunt, Letisha Jobe Page, worked as a hairdresser before passing in 2017.
Page said that when his aunt passed, she left him a briefcase. Inside the briefcase were items hairdressers regularly use, including scissors.
“One of her last wishes was to give me these items,” Page said. “It’s like she wanted to tell a story.”
The items inside the briefcase can now be seen hanging on the walls of the barbershop. Page said he wanted to hang them up to incorporate family history into the shop. Along with the items inside the briefcase, he said his great-grandparents’ picture is also hanging in the shop.
Following in his aunt’s footsteps, Page said a friend motivated him to start cutting hair. He graduated from South Central Barber College and has been cutting hair for 18 years. As the owner, he said one of his top priorities is to make sure people feel comfortable.
“We try to make sure our environment is upbeat and welcoming for clients,” Page said. “If we’re feeling down, we can always count on our clients to lift us back up.”
Page said that it’s hard to have a successful barbershop without regulars. He said that the more clientele you have, the more likely you are to bring in new customers.
“When people see you have regulars that you connect with, it’s like a magnet,” Page said. “More people come as they see the business’ success.”
Page said they have many regular clients, but they also get first-time visitors they’ve never met before.
“Some of our clients make long drives just to come here for a haircut,” Page said. “To know we make such an impact on people that they drive two hours is amazing.”
Page said clients are the most important aspect of the barbershop. He said clients usually show up 10 to 15 minutes early and each gets a 30-minute window. Page said that it’s easier to stay on schedule when they arrive early and get a set amount of time per appointment.
“It may not take me the full 30 minutes for a cut, but it gives me time to take breaks for lunch, to pray or take care of walk-ins,” Page said.
Client Robert Hill said he has been to the barbershop four times. He said he decided to come to the barbershop because they know how to cut thick Caucasian hair, and thick hair runs in his family.
“Black people have the most diversified type of hair that we know how to cut and style amazingly,” Page said. “But we know how to get all of our clients’ hair looking good no matter the race.”
Hill said he struggles to find the right type of person who can cut his hair type, but the barbers at Shake Rag Barbershop always do an excellent job.
“I’m excited to form connections with the barbers here,” Hill said. “The atmosphere is really good, and I would recommend this shop to everyone.”
Hill said that he was in the military for over 22 years and was exposed to many different ethnic groups. He said that he loves being around different cultures, including at Shake Rag Barbershop.
Harlan Holmes said he was a client of barber Dale Spearman’s before he started working at Shake Rag Barbershop. He said Spearman used to work at JC’s Barber Shop & Salon, and Holmes followed him to Shake Rag Barbershop because he enjoyed Spearman’s company and haircuts.
Holmes said the barbershop is a natural space for networking, as he has seen clients from all walks of life walk into the shop.
“You’re in a room with a bunch of folks who know a bunch of folks,” Holmes said. “If you say you need something, someone there always knows a guy.”
Holmes said his favorite part about the barbershop is that from the moment you walk in, the barbers make you feel like they’re glad to see you.
Page said the barbershop is heavily connected to the community by partnering with organizations such as Little Zion Baptist Church and Ski Daddy’s for an annual “Thanksgiving Dinner and Giveaway.” During the event, free Thanksgiving dinners are served to the community.
Last December, the barbershop, along with State Farm and Fountain Square Titles and Escrows, presented a “Christmas Lunch on Us” event free to the public. Page said these events aim to both help the community and stay connected.
“It’s more than feeding the community; it’s like feeding our family,” Page said. “We take care of people on this block.”
Franco Irvin, a former barber at the shop, said that the WKU community also partners with the barbershop on occasion.
“My favorite memory of working at Shake Rag Barbershop was when Big Red came, and we got him in our chair to take pictures of us pretending to cut his hair,” Irvin said. “Kids got to come and take pictures with him, and they really seemed to enjoy it.”
Irvin said he worked at the barbershop for four years and the atmosphere inside the shop was always “vibrant.”
On March 2, Irvin opened his own barbershop in Bowling Green called Fade Factory to further his career.
Irvin said Shake Rag Barbershop helped him grow not only as a barber but also as a man.
“The bonds we built in that shop are deeper than just work,” Irvin said on a Facebook post. “Y’all are my brothers for life, and that will never change.”
Irvin said that at Shake Rag Barbershop, he enjoyed joking around and laughing while working without everyone taking it seriously. However, he said the barbers hold each other accountable if they see anything wrong with a haircut.
“At the end of the day, we love each other and are here to provide top-tier services,” Irvin said.