Paul Heyer - 31 plus years a barber and he would do it all over again

Paul Heyer

​Paul knows just about every customer by name which is quite an accomplishment when you only see some of them for fifteen or twenty minutes once every month or so. He does have a group of regulars who come in like clockwork – every week or two. Paul says they like to “look the same” from week to week. I can understand the reasoning as I’m one of those who shows up only when my hair gets too shaggy. Paul mentions that his shop isn’t just for the men…he has about a dozen ladies who come to Paul’s Barbershop for their regular trims.

​Paul Heyer probably didn’t believe being a barber would be his life’s vocation when he gave his first haircut in Florida. But over 31 years later he says, “I wish I had started five years earlier.” It’s good to know Paul loves his job that much, especially when he holds your entire “looks” in the palm of his hand. 
 
Paul has been a barber in Columbus for almost 20 years and he’s been my haircutter-of-choice for all of those. I do need to mention that he has a part-time assistant, Frank, who is there two days a week and you can’t go wrong with either. But it’s Paul’s shop as can be observed by the sign on the building. 

Paul is his own boss but this doesn’t mean he can just do what he wants! Since his hours are posted he’s got to be there. His customers expect it and aren’t always forgiving if Paul says he opens at 7 and doesn’t make it in until 7:05. Paul says unless he’s contagious he’ll be there even when he’s not feeling so great. Most of us would call in a sick day, but for the self-employed missing a day means you don’t pay the bills. Paul talked about a time he broke his hand and had to plead with the doctor to leave two fingers free so he could at least hold a comb. Luckily for Paul (and probably his customers) it was his left hand and Paul holds the clippers in his right.

Paul enjoys chatting with a customer whether he's getting. haircut or not.

The front tag on Paul's truck.

Paul is very supportive of our men and women in uniform. His two sons are on active duty…one in the Marines and the other in the Navy and he helps spread his pride by displaying a license plate on the front of his truck that reads, “Navy/Marines – House United.” A sign out front proclaims, “Thank you Veterans.” Paul does his part to pay it forward to our current and past service members by giving discounts to veterans on Veteran’s Day and free haircuts to all active duty members of the military. He also gives a discount to retirees…and I’m happy to be able to take advantage of that. And on the other end of the age spectrum, a baby’s first haircut is always free.

Paul enjoys his work and his customers. He has some memories of things that have happened in his shop including the time a would-be groom runs in looking for two “witnesses” so that he could get married over at the Polk County Courthouse, just around the corner. Two customers quickly volunteered and as far as we know the couple is still married. Paul has a few standing gags like occasionally spraying water over the small play area where little kids are waiting for their haircuts only to have it fall down from the sky. They look upward and Paul makes a little joke saying it must be from the leaking toilet upstairs. Well, they get grossed out and then Paul has to explain that there is no upstairs. 

Paul is a master of carrying on conversations with customers over whatever is the topic of the day or whatever the customer might bring up or that Paul might remember from a past visit. He has a devoted group of people who claim Paul’s Barbershop as their own. However, there was one lone time when Paul did have to tell one old grouch that he needed to find another barbershop. And no, that wasn’t me!
 
Over these past twenty years, Paul’s Barbershop has become a fixture in downtown Columbus. And that’s because of Paul. It’s nice to know some good things never change.

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More to know
Paul’s Barbershop is located at 40 East Mills Street in Columbus. 828/ 817-4598, but don’t call for appointments. It’s a wait your turn shop…but it’s never a long wait!

Some wall art in Paul's shop.

This clock "looks" backwards, but when viewed from the barber seat as you stare at the mirror in front of you, it's the way you would expect it to be!