The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Longtime barber closing up shop
Illussions Hair Design has been a location for camaraderie for 37 years.
Kenneth Patton, owner and master barber of Illusions Hair Design, has announced the barbershop is permanently closing.
The business is located at 3157 Broadway in Lorain.
Patton was the landlord of the building, but due to selling the property and other factors, he is closing the doors.
“With the (novel coronavirus) pandemic and other obstacles we have to face now, it’s just time to shut it down,” he said.
Patton graduated from Admiral King High School in 1974.
In 1979, he graduated from Ohio College of Barber Styling.
Patton is married to Susan Patton and the father of six children.
Although Patton has been a barber since 1980, he didn’t open the shop until 1984.
“I’ve been a barber for 41 years,” he said.
Patton said he loves to make people look their personal best.
“I like to make people look good,” he said. “The reason I called it Illussions was because so many people come in with illusions and unrealistic expectations.
“It’s an optical thing; people want to look a certain way and I help them reach their own potential.”
Patton said his love for cutting hair began as a youngster in the basement of his family home.
“I started barbering at 13 in the basement,” he said. “I would cut my own hair and my family’s.”
Patton opened the shop after working in manufacturing, but longing to be a full time entrepreneur.
“I wanted to open the shop because I didn’t really like my other jobs,” he said.
“I realized I wanted to be more hands on and have a cleaner type of job.”
Interacting with people is what Patton said he will miss the most.
“I’ll miss the camaraderie and just talking to people,” he said.
Patton said he will remember the years as a barber and landlord fondly, but is looking forward to the next chapter of his life.
“I’m not quite ready to sit down,” he said.
Patton said he wouldn’t be surprised if he winds up cutting hair elsewhere.
“This is a labor of love,” he said. “It’s kind of hard to stop.”
The last business day for Illussions Hair Design is Aug. 30.
Patton said he still will cut hair for his clients who live in Lorain County nursing homes.
A celebration will take place at 1 p.m., Aug. 31, in honor of Illussions’ legacy.
Furniture and materials from Illusions are for sale now on Facebook Marketplace.