Barbershop closing after 64 years pkg

Barbershop closing after 64 years pkg

64 years....one barber is closing up shop after 64 years of cutting hair in the same store front on main street in wilmore.

The end of the era is due partially to covid-19 ..but also a shift of priorities to his wife of 57 years.

The city of wilmore recognized his cut above service tonight.

Abc 36's monica harkins introduces you to the namesake behind clay's barbershop.

"he gave everybody a sense of comfort when you walked in his store."

Once you started going to clay's barbershop on main street...you didn't stop.

"there's three or four families i've cut five generations of their hair."

Before you know it...your kids go see clay...and then your kid's daughters want to go see clay...if even just for the company.

"maycee, 10 years old: probably my entire life as kind, sweet, generous and pretty funny."

It's the multi- generational service clay tankersley provided with his clippers but more importantly his heart....that will leave a mark on wilmore.

"person in crowd: it didn't matter what was going on outside in the real world when you stepped into clay's it was nice, a good feeling."

"hal: he was a big part of my life every two weeks...had to keep my side burns straight" even without a key to the city....when you sat in his chair...he had a way of opening you up.

"clay: you hear a lot of stories, some you wished you hadn't of heard."

He started hearing those stories right out of barber school at the age of 18....he's nearly 83 now...it was a global pandemic that cleared his schedule...but his wife's failing health... kept the closed sign up..for good.

"clay: but the nine weeks that i was home with her, i'll be, she felt a little bit better..and uh..so it's time, it's time."

"hal: he will be missed, going by that barbershop and not seeing him in there, that will be a real big vacancy to the town."

But a man like tankersley can't call it quits all at once...he's still is going to give cuts at the local senior living center on the side.

I "64 years in the same place.

I love wilmore, i've loved it."

And wilmore has loved him..

"nat pop clapping" monica harkins abc 36 news.

#### still ahead..

A water advisory for some people in