FAMILIAR FACES FILL NEW BARBERSHOP
Longtime barber Bill Visnaw takes step-down approach to retirement
Editor’s Note: Due to our error, this story ran in an incomplete version Wednesday. We are republishing the article in its entirety here. We apologize for the error.
When one of Macomb County’s longest-serving barbers recently decided to retire, he packed up his scissors, took down his red-white-and-blue barber pole and closed up shop.
Bill Visnaw then walked a couple of blocks over to cut hair at a new place called Deep Cuts Barbershop that was opened by one of his former employees in downtown Mount Clemens. His clients have included numerous county officials, assistant prosecutors and even a judge or two.
Visnaw, who turns 80 next month, said he no longer wanted to keep a full-time schedule, but enjoys mingling with his clients and wasn’t quite ready to turn in his electric trimmer, straight razor and comb.
“It was just time,” Visnaw said, while trimming a customer’s hair. “I’ve had my day. This is a good way to transition into full-time retirement. I can come here, work three days a week and see my old customers and friends. It’s wonderful.”
Visnaw started out in 1962 working in old Macomb Daily building on Cass Avenue before moving over to the shop on North Walnut where he stayed for decades.
Gina Badamo, the owner of Deep Cuts who formerly worked at Visnaw’s shop, brought over the porcelain based barber chairs, cabinets and barber pole for her new venture. She says she was happy to ease his workload while still having him on staff.
“Bill has been a big deal in this town and it’s very impor-
tant for me to have him for the success ofmy business,” she said. “I am giving him the credit — it’s his clientele who have been sitting in these chairs for over 30 years and hopefully, they’ll stay with us.”
She started out at the now- closed Lady Jane’s Haircuts for Men on Main Street before moving over to Visnaw’s shop and later deciding to open her own place.
Badamo lined up more talent, including Julia Miracle from Dapper Gents Barbershop. Then she delved into designing the former Black The Salon with a variety of eclectic touches from Mimi’s Attic including church pews, and stereo system, which is manned by a DJ on some days.
She dubbed the place Deep Cuts, a reference to non-radio, underplayed singles from music albums, and a nod to her father, a music lover. There is a collage of vinyl records on one of the walls.
“My dad was a music guy,” Badamo said. “He loved to spin records. So the name is a play on words.”
Haircuts are $16. Badamo is considering adding full wax and massage services in the future.
A Chesterfield Township native who has lived in Mount Clemens for the past 11 years, Badamo said she’s always felt a bond with the city.
“I have always loved Mount Clemens,” she said. “I loved the Friday night concerts as a young girl. I’ve always wanted to own my own barber shop and things have just worked out. I’m very thankful it all came together.”
The barbershop is one of several new businesses scheduled to open in the downtown in the next few months, according to Michelle Weiss of the Downtown Development Authority. Others include a wine tasting venue and a coffee shop.
Weiss said it’s “important to keep some of Mount Clemens’ history” alive with the barber shop.
“It was a tight squeeze at their shop on North Walnut,” she said. “But I love the new place. Gina and the ladies are doing a great job. They’ll fit right in with some of the new exciting places we’ll have opening this fall.”
“I loved the Friday night concerts as a young girl. I’ve always wanted to own my own barber shop and things have just worked out. I’m very thankful it all came together.”
— Gina Badamo, Deep Cuts Barbershop owner