The rumors are wrong: John's Barber Shop is opne

By Laurie Gordon
NEWTON — Rumors can destroy a business. In the case of John's Barber Shop, rumors that the shop was closing after Thorlabs purchased the building in which it is housed caused owner Karen Bell to lose a lot of customers.

“It was crazy,” she said, “One day a photographer was out in front, then rumors started flying that I was closed.”

A percentage of Bell's customers didn't even call or drive by to see for themselves, but believed the gossip and went elsewhere. “I saw one long-time customer of mine in the post office the other day,” Bell said. The former customer gave her his condolences about her going out of business. “I told him John's Barber Shop is in no way gone and he was very surprised,” she said. He was back at the shop a few days later.

John's Barber Shop isn't a chain. It's a good, old-fashioned mom and pop business that got its start in the center of Newton in the 1930s. It's also the kind of business that Thorlabs CEO Alex Cable backs 100 percent. With locations around the globe, Thor's international headquarters is located in Newton about an eighth of a mile from John's Barber Shop. Cable bought the building in which John's is housed about a year ago.

“As a member of the community I’ve always looked to weigh the positive and negative impact we have within our community." he said. "I recognize that asking Karen Bell to move would be highly disruptive to her business, hence she and I speak a number of times each year. In these meetings I share my expansion plans with her as we seek a win-win plan that fits both of our needs."

Cable is confident that the Barber Shop will remain in the same location for an extended period of time. He added that the business could be accommodated within a building that he plans to construct for Thorlabs. "Having some mixture of uses in my future building projects to accommodate a number of other businesses would diversify our immediate neighborhood," he said. "This diversification is very appealing to me, and gives real meaning to my use of the term 'win-win'. I’ve owned the Barber Shop property for over a year, and view this particular piece of real estate as providing for our long-term needs for space looking out five to 10 years,” he said.

He emphasized there are no plans to develop the parcel that contains the Barber Shop, but will be looking to landscape the Diller corner properties to make them more appealing.

“Please let the larger community know that the appearance of construction equipment on the corner of Diller and Sparta Avenue will just signal the start of a beautification effort," he said. "We plan to grade the property, put in new sidewalks, and generally create a more appealing look to the properties I own that are intended to support our long term growth.”

Cable said that the ideal solution would be to build a space for John’s Barber Shop within either a Diller Ave. project, or within another Sparta Ave. project (where the Newton Pizza and Nova Phase buildings are located, both of which he owns). "Both of these parcels when developed would be ideal for mixed use as they are would be well positioned with great visibility from the well-traveled Sparta Ave,” he said.

Cable believes that having a vibrant cluster of local shops at this end of town could provide for the needs of the rapidly growing Thorlabs staff as well as the larger community.

“There is a growing sense, driven by many caring individuals within our broader community, that Newton and the surround area is nearing a tipping point," he said. "This 'tipping' will propel us in the direction of a sustainable downtown area with great appeal for everyone’s benefit. Thorlabs will need another 200,000 sq. ft. within the next year or two; the Brooks property (set back off Diller Ave) which is over 60 acres, is the most likely spot for our next major building project. So, putting this all together means that John's Barber Shop can stay put for many years.”

Bell, along with her devoted, long-time staff members (including Nicole Nykaza, Darlene Edman, Mary Towsan, Jen Griffiths, Rosa Fiorentelli, Kim Pomassan and Megan Jammuzzi) pride themselves on keeping this shop with all lady barbers and stylists welcoming and kind of like a step back in time. There's nothing cookie cutter about it, and the atmosphere is warm and welcoming with big, comfortable, antique chairs, penny candy on the counter, checkerboard floor, soft background music and hallmark barber pole outside speak of nostalgia and the old-fashioned values of the traditional barber shop.

“It's a relaxing place were people can come for a good haircut and some nice conversation,” Bell said. First owned by Frank Butto, the original shop was on Moran Street. It later moved to Sparta Avenue; then the next owner, John Murgolo, who first worked for Butto, purchased it in 1982 and renamed it John's. He moved it to its current location on Diller Avenue. With years of experience after graduating from Sussex Tech under he belt, she said she was blessed to learn from Murgolo and took over the business in 1992. She's been at the helm ever since. John's Barber Shop has become a family tradition.

Bell has come to terms with the fact that false rumors were spread about her business. But she's taking the high road and rising above it. “We're a good, solid, well-established, well-liked business that offers quality cuts, styles and soon color at affordable prices, she said.

With this integrity and reputation, she's certain that John's will remain in business for a long time. To her customers who think she's gone, Bell said, “We're here, we're here to stay and want you back.” To new customers, she said, “Come see what we're all about: you won't be disappointed.”

INFO:
John's Barber Shop is open seven days of the week, Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.; and Sunday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Prices: crew cuts are $8; men and boys haircuts are $11; women and girls haircuts are $12 and up.

They do all types of haircuts for men, women and children and plan to expand soon to add color and waxing.

Call 973-383-2884 for further information or to make an appointment. John's is also on Facebook.