Wall's Barber Shop Est. 1937
By Bret Thompsett
27 Jun 2009
It was raining cats and dogs in DC, it was 11am and was dark outside almost night. I dashed into the nearest building I could and discovered Wall's Barber Shop.
Run by Dale, this shop has been around since 1937 and he has strived to keep it all original right down to the classic chairs and even the vintage register. The building is very old and even has a Nuclear Fall Out shelter, kind of ironic in this day and age with imminent fear of nuclear attack.
I spent a few hours watching Dale and his crew busily go about their work, he explained to me that this was one of the few traditional Barber Shops left in Washington, DC and one of the oldest. He was not the original owner but carried on the traditions and customs of the now deceased previous owner who was African American, during the times of racial segregation he was not allowed to cut another African Americans hair. So after hours and in secret his fellow African American customers would come in to get a cut and a shave. Times are way different now thankfully and the store was a hub of activity with people of all ethnicities coming and going enjoying the services provided by the friendly barbershop crew.
This is a one of a kind store and one I would visit it again for sure. If you are in town be sure to check out Wall's Barber Shop, Lafayette Building, 15th and I area, DC.
The sad news is that the entire building is due to be gutted in December with all the tenants having to be moved. This will be an end of an era for Wall's but not an end to a tradition which Dale will strive to keep going.
1 response
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Danne Dhirgahayu said (7 Jul 2009):
love it!!
