But there was one drawback, one sacrifice that must be completed before any ice cream, any fun, could be had: upon arrival to grandma’s and grandpa’s house and after all the hugs and kisses were administered, it was a long, grueling walk to grandpa’s car where he would drive me to the barbershop to get my hair cut.

Why was getting my hair cut paramount to my grandfather as soon as I arrived? To this day I am not sure. But for some reason he firmly believed that hair that was longer than your thumb was hair that needed to be clipped. And thus for years a tortuous procedure ensued which branded in my mind like a cattle brand to the forehead the buzzing of shears, the sound of smooth music issuing from some old black radio on the counter, and nervously sitting in a pleather chair waiting for my name to be called by the barber who, simultaneously, shook that ugly green apron that soon would be tied around my neck.

I hated getting my hair cut. But now, I find it a treat.

Ron Salzano, owner of Ron’s Barber Shop in Mariemont, says he still sees the same routine I just explained.

“Yeah, we still get a lot of grandpas bringing in their grandchildren to get their hair cut. That is why we try to be as sympathetic to the kids as we can,” Salzano said. “We know they don’t want to be here.”

So, there must be three truths regarding the barber business: Grandpas love taking their grandkids to get their hair cut, kids really hate getting their hair cut, and as you get older you realize that getting your hair cut is more of a luxury than it is torture.

And making it a luxury is what Ron, who’s business possesses the most longevity of any of the business owners around the village square (he’s been located in Mariemont for 31 years), wants to accomplish.

He runs a full-service barbershop, not only offering hair cuts but also shaves, facials, good conversation, sports TV for the fan and cartoons for the child.

"The main thing in getting a shave, facial and scalp massage is that it's relaxing. It's a good way to spoil yourself.

"I have one customer who comes in for a shave because he wants to sit down and zone out," Salzano said. "He sits down, lays back and he is in another world."

The art behind a good shave is knowing how to work the angles.

A man's numerous facial contours means being able to apply the straight-edge razor at various degrees.
Everything is an angle, according to Salzano, so he must hold the razor differently according to the location on the face.

"And, everyone's beard is different, so you must have fine-tuned skills," Salzano said.

Men can receive the Business Man's Special, which is the shave, facial and scalp massage for $16. Customers may also buy gift certificates for friends.

"This is a good idea if you want to get a present for someone ... or even if you want to treat yourself," he said, adding the a shave and facial generally take between 45 minutes and one-hour to complete.

Besides being seen cutting hair in his barbershop, Salzano can also be seen in many a family’s photo album and home movies.

“Yeah, I have been in a lot of photographs, a lot of movies. Parents like to shoot photos or film their child getting their first haircut.

“We like to do first-time haircuts for people’s children,” he says, “and we are pretty good.

“We have a way of making fans out of the kids. We kind of become like their grandpa or uncle,” he laughs.

Alongside Salzano is Brian Peters, who has worked at the shop for eight years.

The most bizarre haircut Salzano has given was to a young woman who had long blond hair. She requested he shave half her head, leaving the hair on the other half of her head at length.

“The youngest person I have ever given a haircut was three-week old baby” he says.

Haircuts and shaves cost $13.50 each. There is the “businessman’s special”, which includes a wash, haircut and scalp massage for $16. The cleansing facial package is also $13.50.

To make an appointment, call 271-7676.