Detroit Barber Marks 63 Years at City’s First Black-Owned Shop

Vonzie Whitlow still cuts hair at 87. He works at what has been described as Detroit's first Black-owned barbershop, which he started with his brother Calvin back in 1963. The shop has served families spanning three generations across six decades.

Whitlow teamed up with Calvin to launch the business around the time his daughter Zena entered the world. Their father Howard pushed both brothers to get things moving.

"He didn't take me to daycare, he took me to work with him," Zena Whitlow said, as per Wxyz.

Customer Randy Tate arrived the same year the doors opened. He's been getting haircuts there since he was a kid. "I've been here 63 years, he's been here 63 years," Tate said, as shared by Wxyz.

Raymond Parks, Rosa Parks' late husband, once guided Whitlow and trained him in cutting techniques. His mentor's shears hang on the wall now.

"God keeps me motivated," Whitlow said to Wxyz.

People say they visit for more than haircuts. Customer July describes the 87-year-old as "a legend" who "stayed here when everyone was moving out and running away," according to Wxyz

"You get some of his wisdom," Tate said. as per Wxyz. Zena Whitlow shares her father's advice: "Always keep something in your pocket if it ain't nothing but a dollar."

Willie Townsel-Whitlow works as a barber with a chair in the shop. He's also Vonzie's grandson, and he wants to carry on what his grandfather built. "You could say he was like my superhero growing up, trying to be like him," Townsel-Whitlow said, according to Wxyz. His goal? Keep the business running until it hits 100 years old.

Rod Whitlow, Vonzie's younger brother, still gets his hair cut by his older sibling. "He is the only one who has ever cut my hair," Rod Whitlow said to the publication.

Vonzie has spent decades giving back outside the shop. During summer at Whitlow Park, he has handed out bicycles to kids who stay in school and keeps feeding those without homes. The park across the street bears his name, and there's a push to name the street after him too.

"My dad has never abandoned this city. He loves the city of Detroit," Zena Whitlow said, as shared by Wxyz.

When asked about retirement, his answer comes quick. "When am I going to retire? When God takes it away," he said.

The shop welcomes anyone and runs Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.