Busy Bee Barber Shop in Glen Ellyn going strong after 94 years

GLEN ELLYN – Glen Ellyn resident Jon Hyosaka knows that when he walks into Busy Bee Barber Shop, he will receive a good haircut.

"He remembers what you want," said Hyosaka, in talking about Busy Bee owner Joe Etheridge. "I plan ahead if I know Joe is going on vacation."

Busy Bee Barber Shop, 417 N. Main St. in downtown Glen Ellyn, has been delivering haircuts to generations of area residents since opening its doors in 1922. For Hyosaka, it's not just about getting a good haircut.

"The atmosphere is great in here," he said. "It is not pretentious. And the price is right."

Etheridge has been the sole owner of Busy Bee Barber Shop since 1981. Prior to that, he was a co-owner for five years.

The shop sees a variety of customers.

"Our business is one-third kids, one-third business people and one-third retired people," Etheridge said. "It feeds off each other."

And he said the business continues to thrive, even in the face of increased competition. Punch Barber Shop opened in 2013 at 491 Pennsylvania Ave. in downtown Glen Ellyn.

"There is plenty of room for them and us," Etheridge said. "At one time, there were five or six barbershops in town."

Over the years, he has seen hairstyles come and go. And that helps keep the job interesting.

"It makes the job fun, to keep up with changes," Etheridge said. "We try to do it well and have fun with it."

The shop's look hasn't changed much over the years. An antique cash register continues to sit at the front of the store.

"It is probably 120 years old," Etheridge said. "The kids love it. It still works, but it only goes to $3.99. We have to run separate tabs."

Working alongside Etheridge are fellow barbers Jim Burke and Norm Tolle. The three of them have decades of experience cutting hair.

Tolle has worked at Busy Bee since 1978, and Burke has been there since 1971. Burke's wife, Judy, owns Ellyn Beauty Salon next to Busy Bee.

As a result of his longevity, Burke has grown to know many community members.

"I know a lot of people in the community," he said. "I have my share of customers I've known for 40 years."

Former Glen Ellyn Fire Chief Stu Stone, also the former publisher of the Glen Ellyn News, has been getting his hair cut at Busy Bee all his life. Stone said he appreciates the fact that Etheridge is a community-minded businessman.

"He has the same beliefs in this town as I do," Stone said. "He cares very deeply for this community."

In turn, Etheridge said he appreciates the continuing support of his customers.

"The barbershop is only as good as its customers," he said. "Without them, we're nothing."

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Know more

Information about Busy Bee Barber Shop is available by visiting its Facebook page or by calling the shop at 630-469-1805.