Slick’s real name was Roland Nesbigle.  He was a card carrying character and loved to talk, alot.  As I got into the big leather and chrome chair Slick immediately, realizing I was new in town or at least to his chair, started telling me of all the famous people he knew.  Every few minutes Slick would leave the room where he was cutting my hair and go into another room in the back.  He was only gone for a moment but when he came back to resume cutting my hair he had very distinctive breath.  I was only 12 years old but I knew booze when I smelled it.

When he finished cutting my hair I paid him and left, feeling that I had been in the presence of a Very Important Person.  I had just met the man who had taught Ted Williams how to hit a baseball and Johnny Weismuller how to swim!

As I got to know Bennington, I discovered other barbershops in the downtown area.  At 520 Main Street, right next to Peter’s Ice Cream Shop, there was Toomey’s Barber Shop, owned and operated by one Bill Toomey.  R.T. Martins Real Estate is presently located at this spot.  Toomey’s had three chairs and many local barbers who would someday go out on their own worked there.  Barbers like Roger Rowe and Andy Mattison.  Roger Rowe took over Slick’s spot on School Street after Slick had gone on to that great barbershop in the sky.  And later, Any Mattison established his own shop on the second floor of what is now Hoisington Realty.

I liked Toomey’s because of the distinctive barber shop smell of witch hazel and Barbasol.  That and the chatter of the customers with the barbers when they were waiting to be served on a busy Saturday morning.

Another popular barber shop was on the other end of town in the Putnam Hotel Block.  It was located at 357 West Main Street and was the shop of Bob Cummings.  Bob’s son (also Bob) is a longtime practicing attorney here in Bennington.  This shop is presently operated by Gary Jones.  Being the Hotel block was important to business because customers could walk from the lobby of the hotel (right past the Western Union desk) to Bob’s shop.  In those days Bob would stay open until 11:00 on a Saturday night to serve his customers.  Bob took over the shop in 1922 when it was in the American Hotel down on North Street.  And Gary Jones, who started working for Bob in 1971, took over ownership of the shop in 1978.  At one time, this shop had five chairs.

Other barber shops in downtown Bennington in the 1950s were Ray Crosier’s at 110 North Street; Pearly Gates at 731 East Main Street (at the corner of Morgan Street); Ernie’s (Rousseau) at 133 North Street and Ketchum’s at 620 Main Street.  Also over Pleasant Street in the Leader Block was the shop of George Foucher.  George (who I have also heard referred to as “Georgie Hogan”) was, as far as I know, the only barber who made house calls.  You could see him walking along the streets of Bennington with his little black bag in one hand and a stool in the other hand.  The stool was necessary because George was quite short.  Also, there was Merrill Pleasant who was located on School Street and Union Street over the years.

And now, you can count the Barber Shops of Bennington on one hand.  Times have changed.

I wish to thank Gary Jones for his input for this article.

Just last Sunday we hosted an Open House/Auction Preview and despite the grey and gloomy day here in Bennington, we lit every light in the house, threw open the doors and set an all time record attendance for any open house that we have had in the forty year history of Hoisington Realty.

Sure, there were curious lookers who have always admired this home as well as a few interested buyers, too….it was a wonderful opportunity to renew contacts with old customers and clients and to meet several new people.

We are still finding our that properties in our upper price ranges are challenged and thought we would try this new marketing plan…Stay tuned and please come for the Auction and see a wonderful property located at 210 Elm Street, Bennington, Vermont. This property has already been reduced from $595,000 and is now listed for $395,000.  Click here for additional information about this property.

7 Woodland Drive, Bennington VT – Colonial in a desirable neighborhood! $289,000

Directions:  In Bennington take West Main Street to Convent Avenue; proceed 0.3 mile to Birch Drive then turn right and follow curve to Woodland Drive.  Look for Open House sign.

1381 Morgan Street, Bennington VT – Spacious One Level Living  $219,000

Directions:  From Route 9 East/East Main Street turn onto Morgan Street then follow Morgan Street Extension for approximately 1.5 miles; look for Open House sign on the right.

212 Autumn Acres, Bennington VT – Neat as a Pin Split Ranch  $199,000

Directions:  In Bennington take East Road north; turn left onto Houghton Lane then right onto Autumn Acres.  Last house on left.

73 Skytop Drive, Bennington VT – Tastefully Renovated Bungalow!  $83,000

Directions: In Bennington take Northside Drive to Harwood Hill/Route 7A.  Travel up hill; look for Open House sign on the right just past Houghton Lane.

1189 Morgan Street, Bennington VT – Charming Home is a MUST SEE  $184,900

Directions: In Bennington take Route 9 East/East Main Street to Morgan Street; continue on Morgan Street for 1.2 miles.  Look for Open House sign on the right.

138 Pine Circle, Bennington VT – Stunningly Beautiful, Best of Kind! $289,000

Directions:  From Route 7 South/South Street turn west onto Crescent Boulevard.  Take second right onto Pine Circle; look for Open House sign on the right.

224 Bradford Street, Bennington VT - Charmingly Renovated In-Town Home $167,900

Directions: From East Main Street turn north onto Bradford Street; look for Open House sign on the left.

521 South Street, Bennington VT – Pride of Ownership Throughout $215,000

Directions: Located on South Street/Route 7 South across from Crescent Boulevard.  Look for Open House sign.