What the business does: Al’s Barber Shop cuts hair and gives shaves. Larger still works on his feet at least 10 hours a day, four days a week and has enough energy left over most Wednesdays to go bowling.
How the business started: Larger worked on his dad’s farm and after turning 21 he worked as an inspector for a refrigerator company in Dayton.
“I sat in a quiet room alone for one year checking the seals for leaks,” Larger said. He decided he was too young “for solitary confinement“ and entered barber school.
His first job was Brownie’s Barber Shop, but after five years opened his own shop.
“I looked all over Dayton and picked area I thought would grow,” he said. “When I built my shop at this location I never dreamed it would grow like it did.”
What makes the business stand out: Larger’s other barber Joi Radar has worked at Al’s since her son was a year old and 42 years later she’s there loving every minute of it.
“Our customers are loyal because of our personal service and longevity, it’s a generational business,” Radar said. “We have close to five generations coming to our shop and we know all their families too and range in age from a child’s first haircut to clients in their 90s.”
What’s most rewarding about your job? Larger said the job has given him an opportunity to meet interesting people.
“One guy owned a four-block factory in Dayton and was recognized for inventing power for electric motors,”he said. “Another guy owned a rubber plantation in Florida, had an island with a yacht and said he let the Navy use it (his yacht) during World War II.
Contact information: Al’s Barber Shop, 8712 N. Dixie Dr. (937) 890-2861, Open Mondays through Saturdays.
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