There are some businesses that transcend the confines of location, time, and even generations -- of which Phil's Barber Company, located at 508 Main St., is an example.
The shop, affectionately known as Phil's, was founded and operated by Smith's grandfather, Phil, for nearly 50 years before passing the mantle and name down to Smith's cousin, Frankie in 1984. The business continued under Frankie's guidance until 2013 when Smith, ready to continue the family legacy, opened the current version of Phil's on Feb. 2, 2014.
Though the past has greatly informed his present, Smith and his crew are looking to nothing but the future.
"The first 10 years was about paying homage to grandpa and the next 10 years is about our legacy -- the five of us," Smith said while clipping a patron's hair. "This year, we're changing our motto to 'Just Better.'"
Smith and his crew plan to continue to foster a positive and unapologetically male environment for everyone who steps foot in the shop. For them, barbering is more than a simple haircut -- it's about cherishing and honoring the artistry and bond of the practice.
Aimee Biby has been with Phil's since 2019 and after spending several years in a salon setting, welcomed the transition to a largely male workplace.
"In barbering you definitely focus more on men's haircuts and shaves, but I do have quite a [large] female clientele that likes shorter hair but salons don't like to cut shorter hair," Biby said while trimming a lady's hair. "It's kinda nice to have the same routine but every haircut is different."
Jeff Atchison has a long history of spending time at Phil's -- and not just as a barber.
"He [Brandon] started cutting my hair in 2014 and he told me about barbering and he actually set me up with the schooling," Atchison said.
His education was delayed slightly with the emergence of the COVID-19 virus but, as of Jan. 24, has been a faithful member of Phil's crew.
Fellow barber and longtime friend, Tony DeFrancesco, worked with Smith for many years at the Department of Corrections and, after spending time in the Army from 1996-2001, he hopes to bring a myriad of life skills and talents to the crew.
"I'm old and I just don't want to stop working -- I don't want to kick the bucket," he said with a twinkle in his eye. "
Rounding out the crew is 19-year-old Damian Jolly, who's been frequenting the shop since 2014 at the tender age of 9.
"I started talking to Brandon about how to get into the shop and school...and he said once I finished I would have a space here...and he stayed true to his word," Jolly said.
Though he is currently waiting to take his final exam, Jolly is giving free haircuts at the shop and looks forward to a long career as a barber.
Throughout the summer, the crew looks forward to supporting the community by offering discounted kids' haircuts, partnering with the Canon City Public Library on backpack programs, and perhaps even hosting a community barbecue.
"We really try to listen to what the community wants," Smith commented. "Because we are a part of this community."
For more information, visit https://philsbarbercompany.com/.
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