MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. – Pete’s Barbershop, a Miami-Dade mainstay at the Suniland Shopping Center since 1959, has officially closed its doors after more than six decades of trims, stories and community connection.
“There’s my sister and I the day my dad bought the shop,” a family member said while pointing at an old photograph.
Inside Pete’s, time seemed to stand still — the shop in Pinecrest felt like a living time capsule.
The vintage cash register still rings, the chairs well-worn. Each one holds a history of conversations, laughs, and memories.
“There’s 1,000 stories here — thousands of stories,” one barber said.
Barbers like Charlie joined the crew back in the 1970s.
“I started here at Pete’s May 28, 1978,” Charlie said.
It was his first job — and the barbershop became more than just a workplace. Over the years, it even served well-known customers, including former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush.
“This is Jeb (Bush) when he was a governor because he always came in and so this is to our friends — we took care of him here,” a barber recalled.
Longtime customer Jeff Hinson said he first came to Pete’s more than four decades ago and brought his sons there for their first haircuts about 30 years ago.
“I’ve been coming here ever since I moved to Miami,” Hinson said. “It’s been a little over 40 years ago — 41.”
Now, Hinson is among the customers getting a final cut, as Pete’s Barbershop closes for good.
Owner Howard Fairfield said it was a difficult decision, but rising costs made it impossible to stay open.
“And the rent is now $6,055 and I’ve been making like $4,000 so we decided to close up shop,” Fairfield said.
Despite a loyal customer base, Fairfield said he wasn’t willing to charge more just to cover the rent.
“Yeah, we’ve had a long run of people that — and we thought that our price is $20, and most all the shops around us $40, $50 for a man’s haircut. I said no, that’s nuts,” he said.
On the shop’s final day, friends and family gathered for a few last cuts and one more round of conversation.
“What are your summer plans? You going on vacation anywhere?” a barber asked one customer, echoing the easy small talk that filled the room for decades.
Right now, inside Pete’s, there’s cake, laughter and a bittersweet goodbye.
The owners say they are incredibly thankful for the customer loyalty and support through the years.