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A timeless throwback
Photo
Bob’s Barber Shop, above, at Glenwood and West Judson avenues on Youngstown’s South Side is a throwback to a simpler time. The building formerly was a gas station that closed in 1966. Owner Bob Toth opened the barbershop in 1973 and has been cutting hair there ever since.
YOUNGSTOWN
These days, there are all manner of fancy spas and salons that offer haircuts. Bob’s Barber Shop, however, harkens to a simpler time without all the bells, whistles and frills.
Bob Toth has been cutting hair and engaging in friendly banter with his customers at the corner of Glenwood and West Judson avenues on Youngstown’s South Side for 41 years.
His shop is housed in an erstwhile Sunoco gas station that closed in 1966. The cozy shop sports one barber chair, a few seats for waiting customers and is decorated with stuffed fish and fishing tackle. Toth says fishing is one of his favorite pastimes when he’s not barbering.
The weather-worn paint on the exterior of Bob’s Barber Shop is a lot like some of his customers. Many of Bob’s regulars have been stopping by for a trim for years. Besides getting a haircut, customers often trade quips about sports, politics or fishing with Toth. One customer, Dan Costello, 22, of Youngstown, has been getting haircuts from Bob since he was 5. Costello’s father also is a regular.
A Youngstown native, Toth went to barber school shortly after graduating from Chaney High School in 1968 and then worked for a few other barbers before opening his business in 1973. He said he enjoys the work and plans to keep cutting hair as long as he’s able.