Retaking Pole Position

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Retaking Pole Position
Barber Erik Taylor with customer at the Farmers Market shop.

When managers at the Original Farmers Market decided they wanted an old-school barbershop, they went looking for Woody Lovell Jr.

A third-generation barber, Lovell is known for the 1940s-style Barber Shop Club on Melrose Avenue and the similar Shave of Beverly Hills, which he founded a few years ago.

He’s since sold his interest in both, but liked the idea of bringing his traditional Barber Shop Club to the Fairfax district Farmers Market, which he said shares his goal of “hanging on to a tiny bit of history.”

The shop opened at the beginning of the month on the south side of the market at Third Street and Fairfax Avenue, near the smaller of the market’s two clock towers. As Lovell put it, the interior is “straight 1930s, 1940s style,” and even shoe shine services are offered.

The prices decidedly are not out of the ’40s: cuts are $45, trims $25. There also are some modern extras: Beer and wine are sold.

Lovell, an African-American, said that he’s operating in the tradition of black barber shops he grew up in as a kid – his father and grandfather were barbers – but with a more multicultural approach.

“We staff barbers of all races. Anybody with any type of hair can come here and get service,” he said. “You don’t necessarily see African-American-owned barber shops with a large, diverse clientele.”

The 41-year-old Lovell isn’t the only proprietor opening barber shops these days. The Proper Barbershop opened this month a couple blocks down on West Third Street. Lovell’s take? More men are feeling the need to reclaim their manhood.

“You see a big change in society right now with the economy,” he said. “A lot of men are losing their jobs; a lot of women are going into the work force. Guys are feeling less masculine, less in control, and they’re seeking out wherever they can get that little bit of comfort and masculinity.

“He’s at home with the kids, and sometimes he needs to sit in a barber shop and have a shave, have a brew, talk about the game or maybe bring his son.”

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