It’s probably ironic that Ed Price has been doing something for five decades that he didn’t really want to do in the first place.
Yet 50 years later, Price is still working at his craft as an old-fashioned barber and is believed to be one of the few left in Barrow County.
“Of course, I didn’t think that far ahead back then,” Price said recently as he took a break during a weekday of hair cutting. “Even after I started doing it, I wasn’t sure I wanted to stay in it. Since I never stopped, suddenly the years started going by and here I am still going.”
Price’s journey began after he finished his stint in the United States Air Force. He was asked about the possibility of becoming a barber by Mayfield Camp Sr., who would eventually train him.
“Back then you started out by shining shoes,” Price said. “I would help keep the shop clean. I didn’t do much hair cutting to start with.”
Price’s training with actual hair cutting was somewhat a trial by fire. He would learn by cutting the hair of young people whose parents could not afford to pay for haircuts.
At the time, Camp Sr. ran shops in both Statham and Winder and Price worked in both locations through the years.
Camp Sr. passed away in 1976 and his son, Mayfield Camp Jr. helped out when one of the barbers would move on.
Today, Camp Jr. owns the shop which has been in Holly Hill Mall since the early 1970s.
Price moved to Holly Hill Mall in 1972 and has been there since that time. He is the manager of the shop and is now the sole barber on a daily basis although Camp Jr. helps out when his other work duties allow.
When Price began in the barbering business, haircuts were $1 and $1.25 for a flattop. He charges $10 for all haircuts now.
Shaving was discontinued in 1996 after the other full-time barber quit.
“At one time getting a shave was as common as a haircut,” Price said. “Many times you would shave half the day before you cut a head of hair.”
Safety concerns also caused Price to move away from offering shaves.
Hair styles have changed through the years, even for men, Price said. He still offers shampooing although few customers request it.
Price, now 72, said he hasn’t given much thought to how long he plans to continue cutting hair.
“When I first started doing it and got the hang of it, I just thought of it as something to do,” he said. “Now, I don’t really think about stopping. I haven’t made as much money as some people but I’m happy. As long as I am able to stand up throughout the day without any problems then I plan to continue on with what I’m doing. As long as business is good, I still need somewhere to go each day.”
Price has had some of the same customers through the years. Some customers have moved away from Winder and return to see the shop in Holly Hill Mall and stop in to see if he is still the one manning the barber’s chair.
“I’ve cut two or three generations of some families,” Price said. “It’s good to see some familiar faces walk through the door.”
Saturday used to be the busiest day for Price but he said it varies now. He estimates Tuesdays may be his busiest day since he is closed on Mondays. He still cuts as many as 20 heads of hair on a busy day.
“It does seem strange to sit and think about it being so long,” Camp said. “Time does seem to go quicker than we think. It is amazing in many ways to do anything for 50 years.”
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After talking with a visitor recently, Price is set to close up when a customer walks in.
It’s past regular working hours for the shop, but Price tells the customer to have a seat and begins to give him a haircut.
It’s just part of the day for Price, something he has been doing for five decades and something he shows no signs of slowing down at.
