Springfield barber cherishes shop's 74-year-old history. It's now the last on its block

In the past six months, Court Ketron has found himself running the sole business on what was once a bustling block in central Springfield. But just because the area is more quiet, doesn't mean he has plans of leaving.

Ketron is the owner and sole employee of Barbershop Deluxe at 1206 E. Elm St. Two barber chairs, two sinks and an eclectic collection of wall art and keepsakes fill the small barbershop. Located just off National Avenue near Missouri State's campus, the space has served as a barbershop — under different names and owners — since 1949. Ketron, who has been cutting hair for the past 18 years, took over the shop in 2011.

Within the year, the businesses that shared the same building as Barbershop Deluxe have closed. Panera Bread, formerly located at 500 S. National Ave., closed in April after a vehicle drove through its storefront. And in November, Brown Derby Central at 506 S. National Ave. shuttered its doors.

Ketron told the News-Leader that Brown Derby, which he pays his rent to, owns the entire building, but he is not aware of the company's future plans for the block.

"They haven't told me anything, as far as a plan or departure," Ketron said. "I keep in contact every time I pay my rent, (but there's) no word either direction. I'll hang out until somebody suggests I should do otherwise or my situation changes."

Within the past decade, Dutch Maid Laundry at 526 S. National Ave. and Glo Dry Cleaning Specialists at 530 S. National Ave. have also closed.

Ketron said he's keeping his eyes and ears open about potential new spaces, but he's also reluctant to move.

"Right now, I'm a guy carrying on a tradition in a barbershop that's been here since 1949," he said. "As soon as I move, I'll just be a dude in the back of a strip mall cutting hair. At the end of the day, it's the same thing, but I like the tradition."

Discovering a second career

Before Ketron reopened Barbershop Deluxe in July 2011, the late Robert DeFrank owned and operated the shop as Campus Cuts Styling Shop for 32 years. DeFrank died at the age of 75 in July 2011.

Owning a barbershop was never a part of Ketron's career plan. After graduating from Missouri State with a bachelor's degree in psychology, Ketron worked in juvenile correctional centers in Missouri and Texas. He began cutting hair out of necessity for center residents.

"In that environment ... (they're) allowed to get a haircut from a licensed practitioner once a month ... which doesn't always work out for that kind of a population," Ketron said. "It's ever-evolving, ever-changing. And so I just kind of filled in, in the interim, cutting hair here and there.

"That's how I started and of course, in that environment, you show a knack for the skill, you're going to get requests: 'Hey Mr. Court, I have a visit this weekend. Could you give me a touch up?'"

Ketron said, even at that time, he never thought about cutting hair professionally. But after a few years at a correctional center, he found himself burned out, and per a recommendation from a friend, Ketron began working at a barbershop in Texas.

"My wife and I were about a year into a three-year plan to come back here (Springfield) when I found out (Robert DeFrank) was falling on poor health and trying to sell out," Ketron said.

Ketron knew DeFrank because he was actually one of his customers when he was still living in Springfield, before he moved to Texas. Changing up their plans, Ketron and his wife decided to move back to Springfield early to take over the shop.

"Honestly, for a business this size, it's not a very big process," Ketron said about taking over the shop from DeFrank. "We talked about numbers. I didn't finance anything. I wiped out most of my savings. That's about it."

When it comes to the mix-and-match collection of wall art and knickknacks in the barbershop, Ketron said not much is left over from DeFrank. There is a Pabst Blue Ribbon board hung on the wall across from the chairs and sinks that has remained. Ketron said DeFrank used to post fishing tips on the board.

"Bob was a fisherman," Ketron said. "By the time I knew him, he was out of here every day at 3 p.m. and he went fishing. When I met him, that sounded weird, but now that I've met a lot of old barbers, that's what they do. They don't retire. They just want to quit cutting hair. But they still want to hang around the shop and (chat) with all the other old guys."

Today, Ketron uses the Pabst Blue Ribbon board for his service prices.

'A part of so many lives'

The barbershop experience is changing, and Ketron understands that.

"I look to the type of places that I went growing up, that I went with with my granddad and they were a lot like this, opposed to the more modern style," Ketron said, gesturing to the shop. "They serve cocktails and charge more than I would pay for a haircut. Those are more salons for men, as opposed to the more traditional barbershop. Neither one's bad; it's just a word."

A "regular" 30-minute haircut is $16 at Barbershop Deluxe, according to the shop's website.

Today, Barbershop Deluxe operates on an appointment-only basis. Ketron said about 75% of his customers are regulars and the other 25% are one-time visitors, usually college students. One of Ketron's customers, Dick, has come to the shop since the 1970s.

"He's been coming here for three barbers now," Ketron said.

Ketron said these long-lasting relationships are one of his favorite parts about being a local barber.

"You're not exactly a friend or whatever, but at the same time, you've been with them through all of the important moments in their life," he said. "I have guys that I've picked up in college, cut their hair for graduation, cut their hair when they got married ... when their first child was born. That's the cool part about barbering to me. You're a part of so many lives."

Barbershop Deluxe is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. Appointments can be made by calling 417-832-0131 or scheduling on online at barbershopdeluxe.net.

Greta Cross is the trending topics reporter for the Springfield News-Leader. Follow her on X and Instagram @gretacrossphoto. Story idea? Email her at gcross@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: 74-year-old Springfield barbershop remains sole business on its block