By Don Owen
NKyTribune reporter
The city of Newport has experienced many major changes during the past 50 years, but one constant has always been found in the west end at Ken’s Barber Shop.
A week from now, that will no longer be the case. The barbershop’s owner, Ken Barth, is retiring after nearly 55 years at the 337 West 11th Street location. His final day will be Dec. 28, ending a career that spanned more than five decades.
While he’s looking forward to retirement, Barth also said he will miss the daily chitchat with his customers.
“Everybody has an interesting story,” he said. “They might want to talk (University of Kentucky) basketball, or anything you can imagine, but it’s always been enjoyable for me.”
Barth, 74, has spent nearly his entire life in Newport. And not just as a barber. “I was born here, was raised about two doors over from this barbershop at 1115 Patterson Street,” he said. “I live in Cold Spring now, but I spend my waking hours here in Newport.”
Barth’s place of business is filled with sports memorabilia, with autographed UK photos and books prominently displayed on the walls. There is even a photo of legendary UK radio broadcaster Cawood Ledford, along with an array of Wildcat schedules and posters. He also has plenty of Cincinnati Reds items from the Big Red Machine era of the 1970s for customers to view.
But UK basketball is his favorite, to such a degree one of the signs in his shop reads “Not responsible for haircuts during Kentucky Wildcat basketball games!”
In other words, don’t ask for a haircut when the Wildcats are in action.
“I’ve always loved UK basketball,” Barth said. “I haven’t been down there to see them in person in a couple of years, but I still follow them on radio and television.”
Barth’s impact on Newport has not gone unnoticed by city officials. Five years ago, city officials recognized Barth on the 50th anniversary of Ken’s Barber Shop. Mayor Jerry Peluso presented Barth with a recognition award on May 20, 2013, to commemorate 50 years of service to Newport.
Newport commissioner Frank Peluso said Barth has made an everlasting impression on the city.
“Family businesses like Ken’s Barber Shop provide stability for our community and families,” Peluso said. “On behalf of City Manager Tom Fromme, Mayor Jerry Peluso and the board of commissioners, we wish Mr. Barth the best of luck with his plans for retirement. He will be missed by many.”
Remarkably, three of Barth’s customers have been regulars for more than 50 years. And after all these years, Barth said all his customers are much more than simply consumers.
“The customers have been the one constant in my life, and they’ve raised my spirits many times,” he said. “When my wife died a couple of years ago, my customers helped get me through that. I have the best customers. They’re great people to talk with, and I am going to miss them dearly.”
Barth, who has three grown sons, is still trying to decide how he will spend his impending retirement.
“I’m going to take it easy for a couple of months, then find something that will take my time,” he said. “But I’m not going to work. I’d stay here and keep doing this if I intended to continue working. Hey, I’m 74, and I decided it’s time to retire, just like everybody else does.”
Contact Don Owen at don@nkytrib.com