After 46 Years, Barber Retires

End Of An Era

Lee Mulholland (right) says good-bye to barbering after 46 years in Ann Arbor by handing over his shop keys to David Dascola, 28. Dascola is operating the business at 6ll E. University under a new name.

After 46 Years, Barber Retires

By John Campbell
(News Staff Reporter)

If a guy could get a haircut for 40 or 50 cents, it might just tempt him to abandon his stylish long locks.

That was the going rate some 50 years ago when Lee Mulholland, former owner of Lee’s Barber Shop, 611 E. University, first learned barbering as a 15-year-old boy in Canisteo, New York.

“It was a fairly good living in those days,” Mulholland recalled.

But, after 46 years of barbering in Ann Arbor, both time and longer hair styles have caught up with him. Mulholland has retired.

“Business has dropped off around campus with the longer hair styles, and I’m going on 66.” Those are the reasons he gave for retirement.

“I don’t think long hair is so bad for the college kids, but I think it should be kept clean, neat and combed,” he said.

The old fraternity of the barber shop is one part of the business which Mulholland has seen dwindle over the years.

“It was sort of a poor man’s club then, but I think that left it when men quit getting shaves at the shops,” he said.

Mullolland learned his trade in a combination soda fountain, news stand, general store and barber shop, so there was plenty j of opportunity to get to know people.

“Back in the old days a man didn’t care if he waited an hour for a haircut . . . he’d just light up a stogie and relax. Now the whole thing is more cool and businesslike.”

Despite the old cliche of the gabby barber, Mulholland isn’t overly talkative, even though he’ll admit to having the customer at an advantage.

“When you’re in a barber’s chair you’re sort of a captive audience, but I’ve never really tried to force someone into a conversation.”

As for retirement plans, Mulholland intends to just take life easy for a while, travel in the northern part of the state, and perhaps work part time.

His advice for the aspiring young barber is not to aspire.

“To approach anything like a living wage, the price of a haircut can’t be much lower . . . and with these long hair styles business isn’t too brisk anymore.”