Word on the Street: Traditional barbershop with modern vibe opens near Fresno High School

Nestled into a small commercial building across from Fresno High School is a traditional barbershop with modern charm.

The vibe at Fresno Barber Shop, 1936 N. Echo Ave., is cool and hip, but the service is old-school – hot towel shaves, traditional cuts and styles, and friendly customer service.

That means haircuts that include a shave around the ears and the back of the head, said owner and barber Ruben Juarez. “A barber should know how to do every hair cut,” Juarez said. “You should be able to accommodate what the need is.”

Barbering was a trade that Juarez thought could make him good money to support his growing family. His mother owned a salon and he knew about the business. So, he went to barber school.

Juarez has been in the hair cutting business for 15 years. People might remember him as the owner of Ruben’s Barber Shop on Fern Street in the Tower District. Before that, Juarez operated out of a spot at Belmont Avenue and Fulton Street.

Moving to the Fresno High area six months ago was a great way to grow the business, Juarez said while sitting on a long wooden bench that lines a wall of the barber shop. Four blue vintage president barber chairs line the other wall in front of tall mirrors. Antique razors and hair cutting tools in shadow boxes hang on the walls.

Juarez also wanted to create a shop that reflects a growing barbershop renaissance.

Next year, he plans to start offering classes to barbers and cosmetologists who want to learn traditional hair cutting and grooming techniques. The classes would be led by retired and veteran barbers.

“It’s rewarding,” Juarez said about being a business owner. “It’s hard, but at the end of the day you know you’re doing the best you can for your family.”

This story was originally published November 22, 2015 at 11:08 AM with the headline "Word on the Street: Traditional barbershop with modern vibe opens near Fresno High School."