In 2002 the two-year-old son of Ben and Becky Frederick
of Big Springs visits Bim the Barber, but a haircut becomes
a "gang" effort. He was a happy guy, however, as he slid
from the chair, wanting to inspect the digital image
By Bob Weaver August 2015
Calhoun's last barber shop is closed.
Bim (Smith) the Barber closed the shop about two months ago, reportedly to take care of an ailing relative.
Needless to say, he is missed.
In addition to customers who have long used his services at his Main Street Grantsville shop, the dozens of men who frequented the establishment to catch up on local politics, happenings, and trading tales, are left in a lurch.
Bim's shop, not unlike most rural barbershops, was a "meeting place of the minds."
In the early days of the Hur Herald, Bim contributed political predictions on the outcome of county races, but after some negative feedback, he quit his prognostications.
One of his barber chairs was owned by early 20th century barber Grantsville barber Harvey Stout, and his barber pole was owned by the late barber Mike Williams.
Bim's Main Street location was established about 50 years ago when Bill Jones started barbering in Grantsville, to be followed by long-timer Mike Williams.
Nearby, was another barber shop - The Duck Alley Shop, where Bill Price and others practiced their tonsorial skills. Price was located in the old bank building, now Calhoun Realty.
Dink Sturm was a popular barber in the 50s, his shop once located in one of the buildings that "hung over" Simon's Run beside High Street, along with the taxi stand, the Terminal Restaurant and the Citizen's Telephone Company.
Can you believe, early in the the last century, there was a barber shop with at least six chairs, located under the current Calhoun Bank.
Over 100 years ago, one of Calhoun's notable black residents Pete Hicks was a popular barber.
The early barbers used non-electric hair clippers, noted for "pulling hair."
In the past 25 years, young people have shifted to beauty parlors to get their haircuts, or to more pricey shops in neighboring towns.
See BIM'S 2002 "WHO'S ON TOP" POLL RETURNS - Reveals Secret Polling Skills
| 
