A morning at Gennuso’s Barbershop
Chuck Gennuso has been cutting hair since 1958. He opened his own shop on York Road, just south of Towson, in 1975. Since then it’s become a local institution, serving several generations of area families. “Between our five barbers,” Chuck says, “we have 250 years of experience.”
- Barber Chuck Gennuso gets a laugh out of customer Henry Kass of Towson as he gets a haircut. The shop has been owned by Chuck Gennuso since 1975. Five barbers work in the shop, with a combined experience level of 250 years cutting hair. On left, Garry Oster cuts Tom Powell’s hair. (Barbara Haddock Taylor /Baltimore Sun)
- Barber Annette Jones, who has been a barber for 49 years, uses a clipper on regular customer Louis Panlilio of Baltimore. Mr. Panlilio said about the shop “It’s fast, friendly and they do a good job. I’d rather go to a locally owned business than a big franchise.” (Barbara Haddock Taylor/Baltimore Sun)
- Kim Whittle and her four year old son Andy McCabe wait their turn at Gennuso’s Barbershop. (Barbara Haddock Taylor/Baltimore Sun)
- Barber Annette Jones has a good grip on 4 year old Andy McCabe as his mom Kim Whittle tries to comfort him during a haircut at Gennuso’s Barbershop(Barbara Haddock Taylor/Baltimore Sun)
- Some of the tools of the trade at Gennuso’s Barbershop on York Road, which has been owned by Chuck Gennuso since 1975. ()Barbara Haddock Taylor/Baltimore Sun)
- Nine year old Daniel Melia of Baltimore winces from an itchy nose as barber Annette Jones wipes hair off his face(Barbara Haddock Taylor/ Baltimore Sun)
- Four year old Gayle Lancaster talks with her dad, Jim Lancaster, as he gets a hair cut from barber Charlie Monnin at Gennuso’s Barbershop(Barbara Haddock Taylor/Baltimore Sun)
- One year old Eleanor Lancaster sneaks a peek as her dad, Jim Lancaster, gets a haircut. (Barbara Haddock Taylor/Baltimore Sun)
- Regular customer Peter Terry of Baltimore, who has been coming to Gennuso’s Barbershop on York Road for at least 30 years, looks at photos with barber Charlie Mannin, 81, right, who has worked in this shop for around 50 years. Barber Joseph Lewis, with 50 years experience, is on left. (Barbara Haddock Taylor/Baltimore Sun)
- Christopher Michaels, 10 of Glen Arm gets his hair cut by Annette Jones. His mom, Pam Michaels says “I like the people here. You find something that works and you stick with it.” (Barbara Haddock Taylor/Baltimore Sun)
- Brendan Karwacki, 6, left, and his dad Kevin wait their turn to see barber Garry Oster. Mr. Oster, who has been cutting hair for 49 years, has cut hair for three generations of the Karwacki family. (Barbara Haddock Taylor/Baltimore Sun)
- The work station of Charlie Monnin, 81, who has been a barber for over 50 years in Gennuso’s Barbershop on York Road, is full of various items he uses on the job. (Barbara Haddock Taylor/Baltimore Sun)
- One of the chairs at Gennuso’s Barbershop on York Road shows its age as it sits waiting for a customer. (Barbara Haddock Taylor/Baltimore Sun
- Jim Lancaster leaves Gennuso’s Barbershop after a haircut as his daughters, Eleanor, 1, left, and Gayle, 4, eat their lollipops. (Barbara Haddock Taylor/Baltimore Sun)
Little has changed in the cozy shop since then. The walls are covered with framed prints of sports figures, presidents and celebrities. There’s a singing bass fish to make the kids laugh, and lots of mirrors so customers can watch the work in progress, then admire their new ‘dos.
The shop, which is open six days a week, starts seeing customers at 7:30 on Saturday morning. First to come in are regulars such as Peter Terry of Baltimore, who has been getting a haircut at Gennuso’s for “at least 30 years,” he said. This morning, barber Charlie Monnin does the job. Mr. Monnin is 81 years old and has been a barber in this shop for over 50 years, even before Chuck purchased the establishment.
Barber Garry Oster, who has been in the trade for 49 years, has some customers waiting this morning, including Kevin Karwacki and his six-year-old son, Brendan. Kevin came here with his dad, and now brings his sons. That’s three generations of guys who wait patiently for their turn with Garry. Joe May of Towson, a regular customer said of Garry “There’s no fuss, no muss, and it’s cut exactly as I like it. Nice and short.”
Joseph Lewis (50 years as a barber) and Annette Jones (49 years as a barber) round out the hair-cutting roster. Customer Louis Panlilio of Baltimore, who is working with Annette today, says about the shop “It’s fast, friendly and they do a good job. I’d rather go to a locally owned business than a big franchise.” It’s a sentiment that was shared by several other customers.
Business is calm and steady until four-year-old Andy McCabe arrives around 10. He enjoys sitting with his mom, Kim Whittle, and checking out the toy box, blissfully unaware of what’s in store. Suddenly it’s his turn in Annette’s chair, and he’s upset. After a few tears, he sits on his mom’s lap, shaken but okay. Then Annette turns on the electric clippers, and Andy is catapulted into frantic wails. Annette has a good grip on his head, and Kim tries her best to calm him. A couple of lollipops work their magic, and Andy settles into the torture with a grim stoicism. Five minutes later, all is well and he’s smiling and high-fiving. Annette takes it all in with a knowing smile.
During a rare lull in the action Garry works on a soduku puzzle as Chuck looks out the window onto York Road. Charlie relaxes in his chair and Joseph watches some television. Until the door opens again, and in walks the next customer, hanging up his coat. “What’ll it be today?” asks one of the barbers. And life goes on at Gennuso’s barbershop.
Bob Smith
Jan 07, 2013 @ 13:48:57
Chuck cut my hair for years. After all the barbers I’ve had give me a crewcut, Chuck’s was the best, hands down one of the best barbers in the Baltimore County area. He’s a stickler for detail, and very neat! Sadly, I moved out of state and had to find a new barber, and no, she doesn’t do as good of a job as Chuck. I miss Chuck, he’s a really nice guy, and I miss Gennuso’s!