After 54 Years, Downtown Barbershop to Close its Doors Aug. 31

For 54 years, the Oswego community knew that they had a local, family-owned barber shop in town. Art's Barber Shop, at 73 Main St. in downtown Oswego was opened in 1954 by Art Mayer.

On Aug. 31, Art's Barber Shop will close its doors.

"We’re just moving on to something different," Jim Mayer said. "It was time, I've been doing this for 40 years."

As Jim Mayer puts down his haircutting tools to take a job in Oklahoma, he leaves a family business that has spanned three generations. Although only Art and Jim worked out of the Oswego business, Jim's two uncles, Art's brothers and Art's father were all barbers.

Leaving for Jim Mayer is a choice the life-long Oswego resident and his wife have discussed for some time.

"The wife and I decided a long time ago that when we got to our AARP years that we wanted to move to a University town," Jim Mayer said. "We don’t have any school age children anymore."

They do have a son who went to school in Oklahoma, which contributed to their choice to move there.

Jim Mayer said his customers are sad to hear of his closing. 

"It’s like finding a new doctor — nobody is really happy about it," he said.

He said is considering selling the business instead of just closing the its doors.

"I got a couple gentlemen that are interested so I will see what happens," he said.

Will you miss Art's Barber Shop? Tell us in the comments.