'Old School' Barbershop Wants To Say Thanks

A few feet beyond the front door of the paper-bag hued barbershop on Florida Avenue sits a display case whose contents could lend themselves to a museum on the history of hair.

Straight razors, brushes, a leather belt and thin-toothed combs line the shelves of the case, sitting against a beige wall in the shop. 

David Beltran salvaged his father's barbershop artifacts from Puerto Rico a few years ago, and was forced to allow a flight attendant to stow the items - some of which are sharp - in the cockpit during the flight back to Tampa due to safety concerns. Beltran waited until everyone was off the plane before they were returned. 

Despite the inconveniences, Beltran says, "I call it my little museum."

Locals seeking a trim, haircut or a mohawk have been able to view the items at Beltran's shop, Seminole Heights Barber Shop, which is celebrating two years in Seminole Heights this week. To honor customers, Beltran and his brother are inviting them to an appreciation day on Saturday, July 27 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the shop, 5115 N. Florida Avenue. 

Beltran was born in Chicago and went from high school to barber school. Beltran, who says he "grew up in a barbershop," immediately went to work with relatives in Puerto Rico. 

"I decided to be like my dad," he said. "He said, 'If you're a barber, you'll always have money in your pocket.'"

When Beltran's sister - who lived in Florida - came to visit the family in Puerto Rico, she stopped by the barbershop. Beltran, who had recently divorced, admitted to her that he wasn't happy, and heard more money could be made in the United States.

"I knew nothing about Florida," he said. "The U.S. for me, everything was snow because of (growing up in) Chicago. I had never tried the South."

Convinced he could make a better life for himself, Beltran headed to the Sunshine State, and eventually opened a shop on Sligh Avenue before moving to Seminole Heights in 2011.

"I heard about the growing of Seminole Heights, the support of local businesses," he said. "People from the neighborhood support local businesses. That clicked in my head. I said, 'I can establish a new clientele in that area.'"

Armed with a Netflix catalog, up-to-date magazines and the day's newspapers, Beltran calls his shop "old school." The upbeat barber - who paints in his free time -  makes sure his patrons laugh, knowing that competition in other parts of Tampa could lure them away.

"If you don’t find a little small barbershop, you cross the street and find a Fantastic Sams," he said. "You find a Winn-Dixie with a Supercuts."

On Saturday, Beltran plans to thank his customer base in Seminole Heights for their support.

"It's incredible the way I have been doing around here," he said. "I see in the faces of people (that) they are so happy. I want to say thank you, Seminole Heights."

Haircuts will be discounted to $10 for adults and $8 for kids - prices Beltran charged when he opened the shop - and Beltran and his brother will throw hotdogs and burgers on the grill, free of charge.