Adams relocates barbershop downtown

Houlton Pioneer Times photo/Joseph Cyr
NEW LOCATION — Jerry Adams, left, cuts the hair of Frank Kirlin in his new barbershop location on Main Street. Adams, who has been cutting hair for 41 years, relocated and expanded his barbershop from his Court Street location a couple of months ago and has seen steady customers since the move.
Expanded services offered in new location
By Joseph Cyr
Staff Writer
    HOULTON — Old habits die hard for many, and that is certainly the case when it comes to people and their haircuts.
    For four decades, Jerry Adams of Houlton has been trimming hair for men and boys of all ages, with the majority of those 40 years coming from his previous location at Court Street. He recently moved to just his third location in those 40-plus years when he opened a new barbershop on Main Street in the downtown area.
    Adams said his Court Street location had a long, rich history as a barbershop for nearly 64 years.
    “Bill Brewer started as a barber in that building in 1954, but someone was there for six years before him,” Adams said. “I started there in 1985. It was such a good spot for cutting hair.”
    Adams’ move was necessitated when the building was sold. It is currently being renovated and plans are in the works for a restaurant to open at that location.
    Known for years as “Hair Unlimited,” Adams said he plans to change the name of his business to “Jerry’s Barbershop.”
    His new location has the same barber’s pole outside the storefront that has graced his business for 35 years and the same comfortable barber chair that has serviced many people over the years.
    Jerry’s Barbershop is open Monday-Wednesday and Friday-Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday is the traditional day off for barbers in Houlton.
Houlton Pioneer Times photo/Joseph Cyr
EXPANDED SERVICE — Everett Doughty stands next to the new pedicure station at Jerry’s Barbershop on Main Street. Doughty, a cosmetologist, offers a full selection of hair styling, cuts and coloring for women.
    “Back when there were a lot of barbers in the area, we had a union,” he explained. “It was decided they wanted to break up the work week so Thursdays was the day picked and we all closed up shop. It worked out perfectly since that was men’s day at the Country Club.”
    The average price of a hair cut when he started was $1.50. The union decided that price.
    Adams has clipped his fair share of hair over the years.
    “We estimated the other day that I have probably done 235,000 haircuts over the years,” he said. “When I started in 1971, there were 22 barbers in Houlton. Of course there were more people then. We had 11,500 people and now we have about 6,500.”
    Adams said there are no more schools for barbers in the state. Instead, an individual has to learn the trade by apprenticing with a current barber. He has helped school a number of apprentices in recent years.
    Adams has added Everett Doughty to his staff. A cosmetologist, Doughty’s services will extend to women’s hairstyles, eyebrow waxing and pedicures done in a private room.
    “I’m also training under Jerry to become a traditional barber because there aren’t very many true barbers left in this area,” he said.
    Adams said he plans to continue cutting hair for the foreseeable future.
    “As long as I have my health and can continue standing on my feet all day, I’ll be cutting hair,” he said.
    His new location features a waiting area complete with books, games and toys for children; a flat screen television; and a number of sports photos and memorabilia hanging on the walls.
    “Sports has always been a part of my life,” he said.
    Since the move, Adams said business has been exceptional.
    “I didn’t know if I was going to like being on Main Street, but I can honestly say now that I am here, that I love it,” Adams said. “I found this location and it turned out to be just excellent.”
    For more information, or to make an appointment, call Adams at 538-1114 or Doughty at 538-1472.