Chardon barber John Gamiere figures he has given over 280,000 haircuts in a career that has spanned 57 years, so far. For those doing the…
Chardon barber John Gamiere figures he has given over 280,000 haircuts in a career that has spanned 57 years, so far. For those doing the math, it adds up to about 20 haircuts a day.
“It’s been a good career,” the youthful looking 72-year-old said. “I’ve made a lot of friends and I’ve cut a lot of hair. The Chardon location has been good to me. When I was 16, I wanted a job with steady work where I’d be warm in winter and cool in summer. Being a barber was perfect.”
On May 16, Gamiere and his shop, the Yankee Clipper, celebrated 50 years of doing business in Chardon by having a party in their Cherry Street parking lot for customers and friends. The catered affair included a barbecued lunch, free raffles for gift baskets, a photo booth with costume props and games of corn hole.
But, mostly the attendees had come to congratulate Gamiere and tease him about his Florida tan he recently acquired by spending some vacation time in Ft. Myers.
“He’s the nicest guy you’d ever want to meet,” said one longtime customer.
Another man agreed.
“I’m a newer customer,” he added. “I started coming here after my barber in Newbury retired.”
Although most of the shop’s customers live in and around the community, several live out of state.
“We have one woman who lives in New York City, but likes to come here,” said Gamiere’s daughter, Tammy Trushel. “She’s originally from here and likes to get her hair cut when she comes back to visit.”
The shop’s most famous customer is Cleveland Indians owner Larry Dolan.
“He’s a terrific guy,” Gamiere commented. “I’ve cut his hair for years.”
His youngest and newest customer is Warner Burr, 15 months, who got his first haircut by Gamiere during the party.
Warner appeared to be enjoying the experience with an audience of partygoers and several cameras clicking, along with Gamiere’s scissors.
“He’s going to be expecting an audience every time now,” his mother Ashley commented.
“Aww, he looks like a little man, now,” she said with misty eyes when the haircut was complete.
Five generations of Burr men have now gotten their haircuts from Gamiere, said Warner’s father, Marc Burr, also known as “Burrly,” who got his first haircut, and most of the rest of them, from Gamiere.
What’s the key to running a successful barber shop?
“Watching the trends,” Gamiere said.
He continues to take classes in new techniques.
“It’s all about hair,” he explained. “We don’t do shaves anymore. We do watch trends and see what the movie stars and rock stars are doing. Most of our customers follow those styles.”
What’s in?
“Flattops,” Gamiere and Trushel said in unison.
What’s out?
“Curly hair,” Gamiere said with a note of pity, eying the natural curls of this Geauga County Maple Leaf reporter frizzing up in Saturday’s humid afternoon weather.
“Nobody wants curly hair today,”?he said. “Everyone is straightening theirs. Tammy does that along with coloring.”
The Yankee Clipper includes Gamiere’s daughter, a fellow licensed barber, along with a licensed beautician. Next door is Toe Ink, a nail salon, owned by Kristyl Fuller, who started her business about five years ago inside the Yankee Clipper.
“I was working at another salon and did John’s wife’s nails,” Kristyl said. “She said why don’t you talk to my husband. I did and he said why not try it. I had one table and one pedicure bath. When the space next door became available, I expanded.”
Gamiere beamed with pride over the success of Trushel and his “adopted daughter,” Kristyl.
“We’re a team,” he explained. “I won’t live forever, but the customers will be in good hands.”
Gamiere also has two sons who did not follow him into business, nor did they heed his advice to stay warm in the winter and cool in the summer. They both work in construction.
Gamiere and Trushel live in Newbury Township.
