The Hahn Dynasty of Lemon Grove

I am always a little nervous sitting in a barber chair getting a haircut. Is it because it reminds me of the dentist? Maybe it’s a phobia about someone standing behind me with sharp scissors, messing with my neck. Or possibly some genetic memory related to the past profession of barbers as bloodletters.

So, trying not to show any of my imagined fears, I plopped down in David Hahn’s classic barber chair for a cut at his Lemon Grove shop.

It was our first meeting. The barber had been recommended to me by reader Joseph Monroe as someone who might have some tales about the Grove. I needed a haircut, and the possibility of a story sent me to Hahn’s Barber Shop on Broadway. Turned out to be a double happiness day. Hahn had good stories and I got a great haircut.

This barber has been sculpting hair in Lemon Grove for more than 30 years, 28 of them at the same location. Two years ago he moved to a larger spot with a better view and plenty of parking. Then he brought his son, David Hahn II, into the business as resident barber number two.

Hahn grew up in San Diego and worked in construction until an injury forced him out the profession. That is when he decided to become a haircutter. He found a barber who was looking to retire and had a shop for sale in Lemon Grove. Now keep in mind that, up to this point, Hahn had never clipped a lock of hair. He told the barber he would buy the shop if, after a week of observing, he was satisfied with the customer flow.

He was impressed with the numbers and bought the shop. Now he had to become a barber. At first, he rented out the chairs in the store to other barbers so the money would keep flowing. Then he had to wait three months to get into barber college, and another 10 months to complete the 1,500 hours of training to obtain his license. Finally, Hahn was in business.

This is truly an old-time barber shop with three original Emil J. Paidar chairs that date from 1955, the turning red, white and blue pole out front, and a no-cussing sign on the wall. I was immediately transported back to the shop in Pacific Beach where my Dad would take me as a kid to have Tony cut my hair. The only thing missing was the piece of Bazooka bubble gum I got after the haircut.

The barber shop tradition is still alive at Hahn’s. I think a lot of men today are missing out by not having a regular barber. Do you really want to explain the cut you want to another stylist each time? More to the point, do you need a stylist, or a barber? A regular barber will give you a consistently good haircut and you can walk in and ask for “the usual.” Plus, if cost is a factor, would you rather pay stylist prices, or $9.00 (plus tip) at Hahn’s?

Hahn’s Barber Shop is located 8165 Broadway in Lemon Grove. The shop is open Tuesday through Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. You can call 619-469-6580 to make an appointment, or just walk in and take your chances. For further information, you can check their website.

There is value in having a good barber, and now I have one.