ST. CHARLES – A barbershop that Mayor Ray Rogina described as the city's soul was honored at Monday's St. Charles City Council meeting with a proclamation declaring Thursday as Avenue Two Barber Shop Day.
With Avenue Two’s original and current owners with him at the podium, Rogina described the shop’s endurance. He said it’s a place where many get their first haircut and many get their last haircut.
“Avenue Two Barber Shop is considered by many to be the place in town where election campaigns have been dissected, won or lost; business ventures were proposed and on occasion completed; and home of the most updated and current St. Charles chatter,” Rogina said, reading from the proclamation.
The shop, at 204 E. Main St., opened in 1969 under the ownership of two couples – Jeff and Lori Orland and Don and Barbara Pierce, Rogina said. Previously, he said, the men cut hair at Hotel Baker and Berry’s Barbershop, respectively.
“Avenue Two Barber Shop and St. Charles pride go hand in hand,” Rogina said. “Avenue Two exudes the warmth and caring that is St. Charles. Avenue Two is St. Charles.”
In 2007, barbers Frank Pavlek, Micky Davenport, Brian Shaunnessy and Scott Guetthoff bought the shop, Rogina said, noting their time with Avenue Two ranges from 30 years to 42 years.
Like Don Pierce, all of the new owners are graduates of Mooseheart Child City and School, Rogina said. He said they are joined by another Mooseheart alumnus, Tim Jayne, who has cut hair at Avenue Two for 30 years.
Jeff Orland, a 1959 St. Charles High School graduate, works at Avenue Two part-time, Rogina said. He said Don Pierce is retired.
Rogina said declaring Thursday as Avenue Two Barber Shop Day is a “symbolic recognition of a group of guys who came together under one roof to create an independent business, like many of the independent businesses in our community, that are worthy of our patronage and support for the significant contributions they make to our wonderful city.”
Moments before he recognized his family and thanked the mayor and City Council for the honor, Jeff Orland draped an apron over another barber, who stood in front of him.
“No way in the world can I talk without looking at the back of somebody’s head,” he said, eliciting laughter from the crowd.