No one knows when it opened for business, but at least four of its current customers are holdovers from the 1950s.  Maybe it’s that the shop harkens back to the days of walk-in customers, overstuffed barber chairs, black and white tiled floors and memories of Burma Shave.

     And, even with a change in ownership 10 years ago, Crestview Barber Shop’s still mostly the same.

     “We tried to keep the atmosphere that Bob Bristol put together,” owner Susan Allen said.  “We knew how important it was to our customers who’d been coming here – some for 20, 30 or more years.”

     Allen bought the shop from Bristol 10 years ago.  Bristol, who owned the shop for 21 years, bought it from Henry Nauert.  But, nobody can trace the shop to its inaugural day.

     The shop is commemorating its 10 years under Allen’s ownership with a community celebration Friday, Dec. 1, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.  Bristol is expected to come back to celebrate the achievement.

     A barbershop quartet is scheduled to begin harmonizing at 5 p.m.

     “And, we’re kicking off our annual Hot Buttered Rum days,” Allen said.  “Course, we’ll have coffee too and plenty of food and door prizes.”

     It’s really a time to be with the community, Allen said.  “Sure, it’s a celebration of the business.  But the people in this neighborhood make the business.  I always feel like I’m coming home when I’m coming to work.  I know that sounds kind of old fashioned, but it’s real here – the people – it’s just like being in a small town.

     “And, that’s comforting in a city the size of Austin.”