Beloved barber gives one last haircut
He’s been cutting and styling hair for over 65 years
One of the lessons that can be learned from the longstanding career of one of Macomb County’s most beloved barbers is that you never know what you can do until you try.
“When I was in high school, my dad asked me if I wanted to get my barber’s license and I said, ‘Sure. I don’t have anything else to do,’” said Phillip “Phil” Minnella, 85, and founder of Phil’s Styling Shop in Clinton Township.
That was 66 years ago. After graduating from St. Ambrose Catholic High School in Grosse Pointe Park — and likely the only teenage barber in his class — Phil pondered a career in automotive design. But his passion for people and a desire to make them look good set him on the same career path as his father, Guy Minnella, who was only 6 years old when he discovered the joys of a barbershop. The young tagalong who learned, literally, from the ground up, carried towels and shaving cream to earn his stay and grew up to become the owner of his own shop in Grosse Pointe.
As an apprentice for Guy’s Barber Shop back in 1954, Phil learned everything there was to know about brush cuts, flattops, mustaches, and beards. His father was also big on customer service and reminded Phil often that his job was to keep his opinions to himself and just listen, which he did. Now he’s got enough barbershop fodder to write a book. “I could call it, ‘The Life Behind The Iron Chair,’” Phil quipped.
Once Phil got his start in barbering, there was no stopping him.
He remained at his father’s shop honing the skills of a master barber while also venturing out into the field that was changing rapidly. Between 1963 and 1967, Phil attended several schools in Detroit where he learned some of the latest techniques in hair styling for men. “He was one of the first barbers in the area to do it,” said Gordie Clark, who has worked with Phil for several decades and was among the gentlemen sharing in Phil’s last day in the shop Thursday afternoon.
“Those hair styling years were the best,” Phil said.
Being on the cutting edge of a growing industry enabled Phil to partake in competitions that not only improved his skill but allowed him to travel and meet other people in his profession. In the first state hairstyling contest held at the TCF Center (formerly Cobo Center) in 1966, he took first-place honors after vying with 30 other barbers. In 1967 and 1968, he took second, and shortly after that placed in the top 10 at the national finals in Pittsburgh. In 1970, he was voted “Barber of the Year” by his peers, which included barber unions throughout Macomb, Oakland, and Wayne counties. At one point during his career, he took a break from the business that he started after he and his wife, Katherine, were married to represent other union barbers and a company that was selling hair products. It was during this time that Phil found himself in Paris, during a hairstyling competition that featured top stylists from around the world.
Since he was there, he decided why not? Once again following the old adage that you never know what you can do unless you try.
He was the only American in the competition and could not understand a word the judges were saying but he managed to place in the top 10.
Recalling those days produced a big grin on the face of the 85-year-old barber with curly hair as white and thick as Santa Claus’ beard. Speaking of old St. Nick, even he has been a customer of Phil’s Styling Shop.
“Probably one of his most important customers,” said Tom Denewith of Clinton Township, who had stopped by the shop to congratulate Phil on his retirement and was the one who brought the jolly old elf in for a mustache trim.
Other customers of note have included local businessmen such as Gabe Anton and sports celebrities including former Detroit Red Wings Shawn Burr and Paul Coffey. Barbershop trivia: It was hockey players who wanted mullets first as they wanted their hair long so it would fly out of the back of their helmet as they were skating by.
Denewith is retired now, but as a young man starting his career as a high school principal for L’Anse Creuse North it was Phil who groomed him for the job. “I needed a good cut, and when I asked a bunch of the guys where to go they said, ‘There’s only one place, Phil’s, on Harper,’” Denewith said.
And he’s been going there ever since.
“I’m truly honored to be here today at this point in time,” Denewith said, while Phil gathered his shears and other tools of the trade for one last haircut. “What an unbelievable career this gentleman has had.”
Phil concurred.
It’s been a wonderful ride.
Being a barber allowed him to be creative, be around people, and raise five children, who all grew up to be as successful as their father. One of them even went on to become the automotive designer Phil contemplated at one time.
“When you’re young, you don’t really know how you’re going to use what your father has taught you,” Phil said. ‘I think if he were here today, he would be very proud.”
Phil’s Styling Shop is at 35563 Harper Avenue in Clinton Township.
When you get there, ask for Gordie. He’s the guy who is taking over for Phil.