Melvin Ellie still works in the same store nearly 65 years later – and you can get a chance from the tenor
Melvin gentleman's hairdresser on Richmond Road, Steckford
A Birmingham barber, who started his business at the age of 13, has been charging old-fashioned prices for more than 60 years after cutting his hair. “Local legend” Melvin Ellie has been running the same store in Stitchford for decades, and is the last one to stand on his path.
Melvin, 76, began working as a Saturday boy in 1961 at the store he currently owned. And, in addition to the timeless interiors of his store, one thing that hasn't changed much over the years is his pricing model.
Melvin said this year was the only time he had to change his very low prices, which he had been the same for many years. In an age where men can surpass £30 for simple fades, Melvin is part of a dying old school barber offering nonsense cuts with no price, and his clients “don't think of going anywhere else.”
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Melvin, Melvin, a gentleman hairdresser for Melvin, chats with Birmingham Live when he cleans up the store's customers' kiddos.
“All the young kids go to new shops, but my patrons keep me moving.” The interior of Melvin is a loyal and welcoming interior, with a bench for his legion of loyal customers, some of which play paper as he chats.
“This is always the same store. I sometimes put a little emulsion on it,” Melvin said. He took on the name of his store on Richmond Road after buying up Tony, the former owner who hired him when he was a teenager.
“I have 40 years of clients. One customer, John, has been here for 66 years. I'm particular about haircuts, not shaving or blowing them. I had to close the store for three months during Covid.
Melvin was recently treated for prostate cancer and was widowed last year, floating through credibility and life crisis. Speaking of his deal, he said: “It's good – it was a little late at first, but it's built up over the years.
“My kids say they should spend a bit of time, but on the other hand, along with what they had this year and other issues, I'm still here. I still enjoy what I'm doing.” Melvin's reputation speaks for itself in his Google reviews, with all his customers giving him a five-star.
Lee writes: “It has been used by great old barbers since 1984.
Carl Stewart said, “I've been to Melvin for a haircut since 1989 when we first moved to the area. I don't think about looking elsewhere. It's the best recommendation possible.” Other reviews celebrate how traditional he is and call him a “local legend.”
Melvin is a grandfather and great grandfather until age 17, but is closed on Tuesdays and Sundays and opens from 9am to 1pm Monday through Saturday. The business is stable and he has no plans to retire.
“I'm very pleased with what I'm doing. It's my choice to keep going as much as I can. It's home-to-home. I live in my own home, so some people say I'm coming here.”