WHAT INITIALLY caught my attention on Hamilton Ave. was the Trayvon Martin memorial wall painting on the south wall of Sheps Barber and Beauty Shop. This is the second memorial image in Detroit. I met Terry cranking down the steel entry cover. We struck up a conversation and I set an appointment to visit.
Sheps is a landmark. The oldest black owned barbershop in Highland Park, since 1944. The barber/beauty shop has been a culture treasure and community communication center since 1965 at its present location on Hamilton Avenue, in Highland Park, a city within Detroit.
Sheps now anchors one end of a barren streetscape of empty land, abandoned buildings, and God’s House of Prayer at the other end.
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Shop walls display Sheps 1922 diploma, an image of him working in a shop in New York City, a variety of local business honorariums, and historical photos of the building, barbers and family.
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“On Saturday the shop used to be packed wall to wall with men – all waiting for their cut from her uncle Richard Sheppard – “Shep” and fellow barbers,” notes owner/niece Dorothy Grigsby, “Highland Park was booming…Ford and Chrysler were here. I worked at Chrysler and saved to get cosmetologr licent., and got layed off again in 1980. I decided to go into hair. It was a more stable career”. A year later I went to work for uncle Shep, and have been here ever since.”Shep retired in 2002..
After “9/11” business really started to decline. It’s a daily struggle to make a living, pay for insurance, and deal with rising fire inspection and business permit fees Highland Park wants to collect from her.
She is just hoping for a better day and some new customers. In September 2024, Dorthy celebrated 43 years.
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Current business is a little walk in, and mostly loyal customers who drive in for their services.
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“No one touches my hair but Dorothy ! For 30 years I have been coming to Dorothy, driving here from Pontiac, Michigan”, says loyal customer Geraldetta Thompson of Pontiac – a good 20 miles North.
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Terry Harris, son of Dorothy has been cutting hair since 1992. A Michigan Barber College graduate, he worries about business prospects and an empty chair. Not a lot to look forward to when Dorothy retires. He does not have a strong pension to support him in the future.
Long time employee David Collins, age 86, apprenticed under Shep for two years at an earlier Highland Park location on Oakland Avenue in the late 1950’s. He cut hair on Saturday, while working full time at various Chrysler plants until his retirement in 2019.
This story needs to be on the NEWS on television. This needs to be shared and revisited by some.
This story needs to be on the NEWS on television. This needs to be shared and revisited by some.
I am Dorothy Grigsby, owner of Shep’s. Just a few corrections. Shep’s was founded by my uncle in 1944, not 1957. We are still operating today, (February 20, 2018). Celebrating 74 years in service this year. Business has picked up a bit since this interview. At the time of the interview there were three barbers working in the barbershop, there are now 4. We are beginning to feel more secure about our future. The older gentleman, Dave Collins, celebrated 60 years of employment at Shep’s and his 90th birthday with a big party last summer. What a blessing. The older lady in one of the pictures, getting her hair curled, will celebrate her 103rd birthday this upcoming June. God is good. The lady that travels each week from Pontiac is still a loyal client and continues her faithfulness to me.
It’s Trayvon Martin’s birth day today. He would have been 24 years old. Mrs Grigsby, I’m so glad to hear that this mural project has in some way brought support and attention to you historic family owned business. Rest in peace Trayvon.
What a wonderful God Blessed story, Sis. Dottie.
Always the best to you and your clients. Barb Tucker
Important and beautiful work David.
It is now 2024 and Shep’s Barber & Beauty Shop is still standing and thriving. Here are a few corrections and updates. Mr. Shepherds diploma is dated 1922, not 1945. I never worked for Ford Motor Company, I did work for Chrysler Corporation for years before getting my cosmetology license. Mr. Shepherd retired in 2002, not 2000. The lady that travels 20 miles from Pontiac, MI is still a loyal client. Her name is Geraldetta Thompson, not Linda. My son’s name is Terry Harris, not Terry Grigsby. Longtime employee David Collins retired from Shep’s in 2019 after 62 years. Today is October 11, Update!
2024 and “Big Dave” has recently celebrated his 97th birthday. Terry is the only barber at this time, but there are three stylists working in the Salon. Sadly our popular barber Betty Vaughn pictured in the third and fourth picture above, passed away suddenly in 2018. We miss her dearly. I celebrated 43 years at Shep’s on September 8, 2024. Shep’s has now celebrated 80 years in business and still going strong. I am researching for a way to finally be designated as the oldest and longest existing Barbershop in Michigan.