RETIREMENT TIME The New Trend Barber Shop closed for good January 1st locking the door for the last time at 227 N. Main in Butler. Interestingly, the previous location for the shop was the location of the building on Pine street seen in the reflection. This closed the chapter on 50 years of business in Butler for Charlie Scrogham.
Charlie, a 1964 Butler High graduate, made the decision to become a barber
after a stint with the US Army using the GI bill to fund the 6 months of
required schooling, which led to a 1-1/2 year apprenticeship at a shop in
Harrisonville with friend Hugh Rapp.
While business was good, it seems all roads eventually lead back home. In
1970, Charlie opened his barber shop in Butler that led to a lifetime of
strong ties, friendships and memories. The original location for his shop was, interestingly,
just around the corner, on Pine street. He moved to 227 N. Main in 1982.
How much for a haircut in 1970? A buck fifty. At the closing of his New
Trend Barber Shop January 1st, it was a modest $8. For most, it was well worth
more and tips would often reflect that.
As time progressed, the business kept coming. Often there were more people than places to sit in the small shop.
"Sometimes the guys would come in and just talk. I really miss a lot
of those WWII guys especially. They had great stories and all were heard in my
shop" he said with a grin. He went on to say there are a lot of other good
people he knew well, and unfortunately they are gone now, too.
Being a lifelong resident, he remembers when there were five grocery stores around town including Kroger, A&P, Jennings Market, McGuire’s and Welcher’s. Also, Smith's Shoe Shop, which at one time occupied the space just north of his barber shop.
And the stores around the square like Penny's and Mattingly's. He
spoke of the old railroad depot being sold for scrap at a ridiculously low sum.
He clearly remembers the pool hall and the many restaurants that dotted the square,
too.
"Bill Hoots was a well known sign painter in town. He had a table that
if you flipped the top over, there was a craps board on the other side. His
shop was a really popular place" he said with a laugh.
And there was plenty more, as a kid, watching a buddy change light bulbs on the clocks
at the courthouse; vivid memories of growing up on Lyons street and attending school in the old
Butler high school on Pine street.
One has to think that being so rooted in a community would directly
attribute to the success of a business in that community; and for Charlie Scrogham, that is obviously true. Case in point, as the number of barbers in Butler
have dwindled over the years, the New Trend Barber Shop remained strong as
ever.
Things certainly have changed over the years. While
remembering what used to be in Butler, we quickly realized there's not a lot of
'old timers' left in Butler business. As we pondered who is left, he said "Basically,
it was down to Don LeNeve and me". And as we peer around Butler today, we see the natural evolution of new business who
hopefully someday, will be the ‘old timers’ as well.
All that aside, Charlie's life has become a bit simpler, and rightfully so.
At 75 he would have considered retiring sooner but the time wasn't right until
now. Now, Charlie's time may well be spent tinkering in the basement, enjoying
grandkids, or... whatever he durn well
pleases.
After all, he's earned it.
We couldn't resist asking Charlie the ultimate question- Who cuts your hair? With a laugh, he replied "I do".
Now that's the sign of a true pro.
Thank you Charlie Scrogham.
