Harry Jaffe grew up in an apartment over his father’s barbershop in Seattle and began cutting hair when he was only 14. He opened his first barbershop in Portland at SW 4th near Stark in the early 1930s. The shop boasted a manicurist and a shoe shine man. Harry embraced the new razor cutting techniques in the 1960s and hired two young men right out of barber college to assist him, both of whom went on to own their own shops.
When the building sold in 1974, Harry convinced Pete Mark to open a shop in the lobby of the Oregon Pioneer Building on SW 3rd and Stark, where he partnered with Tony Monaco; Jaffe and Monaco stayed open through the 1980s. After its closing, Harry continued cutting hair in a shop owned by one of his protégés
TO SEE MORE PHOTOS OF VINTAGE BARBER SHOPS VISIT WWW.VINTAGEBARBERSHOPS.COM
One of those "young men" was Dick Herrera and most of us "shoe dogs", from Nordstrom's, Berg's, M & F and others all went to Dick for our haircuts. Then it was the latest thing in barbering to get a "razor cut" and Dick was the very best with
the razor!
As time passed Dick became "Richard" and today "Richard Herrera About Hair" is recognized by many as Portland's premier, trendsetting hair salon and Bridal Boutique.
Posted by: Joe Cook | July 30, 2015 at 02:08 PM
The other was Les Madden owner of the other top premier salon, Magnum Opus. Old man Jaffe did good.
Posted by: Rog | July 30, 2015 at 09:25 PM
When I worked in the Sherlock building I went to Les and he became a good friend. Dick was great too.
Posted by: Clark Starker | July 31, 2015 at 08:53 AM
I have enjoyed your vintage barbershop articles and was excited to see this entry on Jaffe’s shop as I was a regular at the shop in the top picture. After studying this picture for a couple of minutes I was bowled over when I recognized myself in the last chair. Although I have no recollection of the picture being taken I am almost certain it’s me. I think it would have been taken in the late 1950’s when I was 15 or 16.
My dad worked downtown and was a long time Jaffe customer. He initiated me into – what was then – the male adult ritual of the barbershop haircut at about the time I started high school. I have strong memories of this shop I think because I was more than a little intimidated to go there, it being a very “grownup” experience for kid my age.
I believe the barber next the Harry was called Ike. The barber cutting my hair was named Joe De Rico, but my spelling may be off.
Thanks for the wonderful picture and terrific memories.
Joe Nance
Posted by: Joe Nance | August 04, 2015 at 11:04 AM