By Emily Randall
Northeast News
Feb. 17, 2010

Three years ago Ted Davis thought he’d seen the end of his barbering days — maybe the end of this life altogether.

He’d had a stroke and was told he might not live through the night. He did live, however, and after two and a half months in the hospital, Davis emerged with a limp in his step but a steady hand to wield a razor.

“I’m blessed,” Davis said. “The day I came out of the hospital, I cut my son’s hair.”

He said he owes his recovery to his wife, Ellen, who was strong and supportive throughout his medical ordeal. He also owes her the fact that he’s still in business, as she refused to sell his shop on Independence Avenue all those weeks he was laid up in the hospital asking her to just go ahead and sell.

Davis has been a barber for more than 20 years. He got into the profession after he was laid off from another job and decided to attend the Missouri School of Barbering upon a friend’s suggestion.

The Northeast resident of more than 20 years said he loves the work because he loves talking.

“I like meeting different people,” Davis said. “You meet some of everybody. Everybody got something different to talk about. I’m never bored.”

He estimated he meets someone new at least once a week.

“When I meet somebody, they grow attached,” he said.

Five years ago, Davis made the step up to owning his own barbershop when he purchased the space at 2631 Independence Ave. As usual, he owes that change to Ellen.

“My wife, she was the one that stepped in and gave me the courage to move,” he said.

At the time, the Northeast Chamber informed him he was the first African-American to open a business on the avenue.

“That’s a big deal,” Davis said.

Many of Davis’ customers have been loyal for 20 or more years. Although he lost some while he was hospitalized, many found their way back to him, such as Eric Norton, a customer of 18 years, who stopped into Davis’ shop this past Friday afternoon.

“Once you’re used to someone cutting your hair so long, you trust them,” Norton said. “Like if you got a good mechanic, you’re gonna stick with them. That’s my theory.”

Unfortunately for Davis, Norton was the only customer to drop in during the 11 a.m. hour for a hair cut — aside from his 4-year-old grandson, Adrian. That’s quite a change from a few years ago.

“At one time before I got sick, you couldn’t find a seat in here [on a Friday],” Davis said, adding with the poor economy, people just aren’t coming in as much.

Despite the challenges of owning his own business, Davis said he plans to stick with it in the foreseeable future.

The Northeast Chamber of Commerce will celebrate Davis and Black History Month from 5-7 p.m. this Thursday at the shop with a Meet and Greet event. There will be appetizers provided by Papa Lew’s Soul Delicious Food.

“It’s something different,” Davis said. “I’m excited. I’ll just run my mouth like I usually do.”