Wasilla barber cutting a niche

JOEL DAVIDSON/Frontiersman reporter

WASILLA -- James Stankowitz knows barbers are no longer the cutting-edge professionals they used to be. The world has changed and more men want perms, highlights and hair dyes these days, not your typical barbershop services.

Despite the steady decline of barbershops nationwide, Stankowitz thinks the local barber still has a place in the community. Two months ago, he opened Valley Barbershop, next to Great Bear Brewing Co. in Wasilla.

"I'm trying to keep the tradition alive," Stankowitz said.

The tradition is about as American as Norman Rockwell and conjures images of barbershop quartets, intense checker matches and men reading newspapers while engaged in lively debates. Stankowitz has tried to accommodate some of these traditions at his new shop.

A checkerboard and other games sit in the corner with a tiny, small-screen TV broadcasting news in the background. Stankowitz also keeps an acoustic guitar on hand for spontaneous jam sessions.

"I write music and I'm going to have musicians in here. If it's not too busy, we'll play music," he said.

Stankowitz knows the barbershop is more than just a place to get trimmed up.

"It's a place to come in, take a load off, talk and relax," he said. "It's not a gossip place like at the stylists' shops because there's a difference between gossip and BS-ing."

Stankowitz is a large man with a friendly face, a firm handshake and a traditional, short-cropped man's haircut. He became a barber about five years ago, working in various Anchorage shops. Two months ago, he decided to come to the Valley and open his own business. It is an endeavor in which he takes pride.

"When you wait on a man, you offer him something and allow him to enjoy himself," Stankowitz said. "In here, you get a good haircut for $12 or $14 and all the drinks, coffee and sodas are on the house."

Originally from Trapper Creek, Stankowitz moved to the city because he "couldn't stand living in the woods all my life." He received barber training at a school in Arizona. After working at a barbershop in the Dimond Center for a while, he quit to work in a better-paying job at Tony Chevrolet. He never left hair-cutting behind, though, and would cut the hair of his fellow car salesmen.

"The money was better with cars, but I was missing the peace of mind," he said. "Here, people come in for a haircut and I don't have to sell them anything."

While business may be better with beauty salons and hair stylists, Stankowitz has no plans to doll up his barbershop.

"Traditionally, at barbershops, you come in for a good haircut," he said. "I give good traditional tapered haircuts. In salons they spoil you, but usually they're scared to cut short. I get right down to the gravy."

As a favor to his customers, Stankowitz charges whole-dollar prices for his services, paying the city sales tax himself so people don't have to worry about odd prices.

"We don't charge the customer for that," he said. "If you keep the customer number one, you don't have to charge an arm and a leg."

When the next customer walked in, Stankowitz offered him the traditional swivel chair, wrapped a blue cloth around his neck and shoulders and took instructions. They were simple and straightforward -- just a little off the top and sides.

Stankowitz keeps shop hours Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and closes Sunday. Walk-ins are welcomed.

"This is a service that's got to be done," Stankowitz said. "Everybody's got to have a haircut."

Contact Joel Davidson at joel.davidson@frontiersman.com.