Dick’s Barber Shop Closing After 54 Years

Owner:

When did you open ? Oct. 15, 1958. This is my 54th year.

Is this the oldest barber shop in Alameda? No. has got me by a couple of years.

How much did a haircut cost when you opened? Pure guess — I’d say maybe $1.75 — I really don’t remember. Now, my haircuts only cost $12.

How has Webster Street changed since you opened? There are too many beauty shops now and not enough bigger stores like O’Connell’s, which was a dime store that did landslide business. Bars were here. There are no clothing or shoe stores any more. Long’s was right in the middle of this block. Wells Fargo and Bank of America have been gone for a long time. Next door to me, there used to be a shoe repair place. There was a drugstore on the corner, which closed three years ago.

Where do your customers come from? Alameda, Oakland, San Leandro, Hayward, Fremont, Castro Valley, Livermore, San Ramon, Pleasant Hill, Walnut Creek, Petaluma, Vacaville, San Francisco.

Are you having a going away party? I’ve thought about it but I don’t think so. I celebrated my 25th anniversary here and my 50th. At the  50th anniversary celebration, we had a party with champagne, beer and hors d’oeuvres. I gave away 200-300 boxes of See’s candy.

I’m a generous person. Spending money on my customers is not an issue. But the cost of a party may be too much. It would have to be some place else since it would be 300-400 other people.

Why are you retiring? When I turned 62, I cut my hours back. Now I have a rotator injury and I’m retiring.

When is your last day? It may be as early as June 1.

What are you going to miss most about the barber shop? The people.

I’ve never gotten rich here. But my dad, who was a barber, told me you will always have a dollar in your pocket.