After Nearly 60 Years, Carl's Barber Shop Closing Its Doors Saturday

One of Tinley Park's longest-running family businesses will close up shop Saturday, after 58 years.

Carl's Barber Shop owner Connie Rauch cites a downtrend in the business as reason for the shop's closing. 

"Barbering is a 'lost art," said Rauch. "It's time to let go of the legacy."

Carl Rauch first opened the shop at 17451 Oak Park Ave. in 1956. In later years, he turned it over to his son Blair, who took over after his return from Vietnam. Connie Rauch inherited the shop after the deaths of her in-laws and husband. She and son Adam currently manage the business. 

Rauch said it's grown increasingly difficult to retain a customer base, as well as staff, and that insurance for barbershops is expensive due to the use of a straight edge in shaving. 

Still, despite its snares, she's devastated about shuttering the shop. She and husband Blair lived in the apartment above the shop in their first years of marriage; later, her son moved in. The shop harkens to days of simpler businesses, with its leather chairs and old-fashioned cash register. "Everyone's a barber now," she said, of men's options for hair cuts expanding to newer, more all-inclusive salons. 
 
Barber Donna Bradley has been at the shop for two years, and services customers who have been coming to the shop most of their lives—who can remember Carl and Blair. 

"I'm sure the business will be missed," said Bradley. "Everyone's very sad to see it go." 

The building has been put on the market by her brother-in-law, Rauch said. 

"I have to give up," she said. "I can't keep the legacy alive anymore."

The shop will be open one final day Saturday, April 12, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. 

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