Panter scales back barber shop hours
There’s no way of knowing how many heads of hair O.C. Panter has cut during his 44 years as a barber. We do know his shop is usually full of customers and his scissors don’t get much of a rest.
However that changed a bit earlier this month when O.C. announced he was cutting back his hours. Instead of his traditional five-day, 45-hour work week, O.C. has now gone to a three-day, 25-hour week.
“There are not too many people who have had bypass surgery, had a kidney removed and survived prostate cancer who are still working at 80,” said O.C., who will turn 80 on his next birthday April 23. “It’s time to cut back and do some of the things I needed to be doing a long time ago.”
O.C.’s barber shop is one of the great things about Warren County. If I was making a top 10 list, it would have to be on there somewhere.
I’d rank the Civic Center near the top, probably as the best thing Warren County has to offer. Places like Rock Island State Park, Chicken Chef, and Delores’ Market would have to make the list too. I include Delores’ Market because there aren’t many places where you can get gas, grab a hot lunch, buy beer, go to a tanning bed, and attend church – all on the same piece of property.
But somewhere on that top 10 list, and I’m not sure exactly where I would rank it, would have to be O.C.’s barber shop. The man can cut hair and tell stories at the same time with the best of them.
The unfortunate news around O.C.’s place in recent months is that some thief stole his antique barber shop pole. In the couple months since the theft took place, O.C. has been trying to figure out just who stole his pole. He’s even offered a $200 reward.
“I’ve worked all my life, ever since I was 12, and never tried to beat anybody out of a dime,” said O.C. “It’s pretty sorry for someone to steal my pole.”
Anyone wanting a haircut at O.C.’s shop now only has three days to choose from. He’s open Thursday and Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and on Saturday from 6:30 a.m. to noon.