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Friday, April 14, 2000
8A
Barbershop rich in KU tradition
Story by Jason Ferber Photos by J.M. Dailey
R. C. Pewtress will tell you that he loves the variety of people he meets on a daily basis. He'll also tell you that although it's a small price to pay, he could do without the sore feet.
he could do without Pewtress, owner of RC's Stadium Barbery, 1033 Massachusetts St., is Lawrence's best barber according to the Lawrence Journal-World. He won the paper's "Best of Lawrence" award last year for the second time since he moved his business here from southern California in 1985. For his customers, the award is not surprising.
"You know, they've come up with a lot of machines that
"He's been around a long time, and he definitely gives the best haircut in Lawrence," said Stuart Scott. Overland Park sophomore.
do a lot of things, but not
one you can stick your head
in and get the
haircut you want. It's a people business."
said R.C.
Pewtress owner of RC's Stadium Bar-
bery.
In his 14 years in Lawrence, Pewtress, a barber and beautician, has tried to capture the Lawrence and KU traditions. His love for the city and University is evident based on the collection of memorabilia that decorate his shop. More than 300 photographs of past KU and Lawrence athletes complement a hand-painted portrait of former KU basketball coach Phog Allen. Big 12 conference football helmets hang from the ceiling and license plates reading "RC 4 KU" are sprinkled throughout the downtown shop.
The store itself is more than 70 years old. It has always been home to barbershops, and when Pewtress bought it in 1985 it was called "Stadium," a name that Pewtress chose to keep for recognition. It always has been a small shop, and that's what Pewtress wanted when he moved to Lawrence.
He also wanted a better lifestyle for his wife, Elizabeth, and their two sons, Rob, 33, and Ben, 25.
"I owned two salons in California, and it was three hours round trip to work," Pawtney said. "I had bleeding ulcers."
When at home south of Lawrence, Pewtress and his wife tend to their horse ranch. They spend their time instructing horses in jumping and dressage, which involves military movements with animals. Pewtress said the hobby helped him to relax and take his mind off business. He said he attributed his barbershop success to his business philosophy.
Pewtress said. "I had bleeding ulcers and high blood pressure. Kansas has lots of room to breathe."
"I only have one customer," he said. "That's the person who is in the chair at that time. He is the
Return clients are exactly what Pewtress has. He still has clients who come back and visit him after they graduate as well as customers who make the 40-mile drive from Kansas City, Mo. Matt Glavin, Overland Park sophomore, said the service was worth it.
most important person and the one I have to give the best service to. That's what brings back your return clients."
"R.C. gives the best haircut around, but it's the service and the conversation that make it so great," Glavin said. "He's always got something to say about what's going on in the world, but especially about KU basketball."
Pewtress' love of KU basketball is something that he takes seriously. He said he loved the tradition and the talent level that the University of Kansas consistently has. He also has had past basketball players, such as Jacque Vaughn, as clients.
Pewtress tries to keep a traditional barbershop atmosphere — an atmosphere that has brought such names as Brian Dennehy, Gale Sayers and Mickey Mantle into his shop for haircuts.
"You know, they've come up with a lot of machines that do a lot of things, but not one you can stick your head in and get the haircut you want," he said. "It's a people business."
And it's a business that Pewtress tries to keep interesting by using his fluency in several languages. He has business cards in English and French, as well as German business cards that read, "Alle Haarstile-von Konservativ Bis Westkuste,"
Pewtress was born and raised on the West Coast. He is from Chula Vista, Calif., a town about three minutes from the Mexican border. It is a neighboring city of San Diego.
which means "All haircuts from conservative to West Coast."
Tops Mike Klopfenstein, a regular at RC's Stadium Barber Shop, gets his hair cut by R.C Pewtress. Customers can browse the many photographs of the University of Kansas on the walls.
Above Pewstress opened this store in Lawrence after owning two salons in California, RC's Stadium Barber Shop is located at 1033 Massachusetts St.
where Pewtress attended barber school before going to beauty school in Hollywood.
Twenty-four years later, Pewtress is still cutting and styling hair. His "Best of Lawrence" award of 1999 was his second consecutive award, which is only fitting for someone who basks in the traditions of Lawrence.
"Lawrence is an absolutely great town," Pewtress said. "It has a wonderful history. I hope they do everything to keep the downtown area the way it is because that's the draw down here."
RC's Stadium Barbery will stay a one-man show until Pewtress is ready to slow down. At that time, he says he will consider hiring someone to help share the duties. For now, Pewtress is happy and focused on the future.
"I never look back. You learn from history but you never look back," he said. "What's done is done and I'm very happy with my career."