Article Photos

Fact Box

IF YOU GO

* What: Folk's Barber Shop

* When: From 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays; from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Thursdays; and from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturdays.

* Where: 29 E. Market St., Lewistown

* For more information: Call 250-3521

LEWISTOWN - After years of moving around, Mike Folk has settled his barbershop again in Lewistown.

Folk, of Burnham, got the idea to open his own barbershop in 2003. He had worked at Case New Holland's Belleville plant for 15 years, he said.

"I decided it was time to make a change," he said.

Folk attended barber school in 2003 to 2004 at the Barber Styling Institute of Camp Hill, he said. After the nine-month term, he was ready to open his own shop.

Folk's Barber Shop first opened in McVeytown soon after his completion of school in 2004. He then was offered a spot on Monument Square in downtown Lewistown, which the shop remained at for about two and a half years, he said.

His wife's job then moved them to Missouri for two years. After a promotion, the couple ended up back in the Lewistown area, he said, and the shop reopened at its new location on East Market Street.

Folk said barbershops and cutting hair always has been something he's been interested in, possibly because his mother used to cut his hair, he said.

"I like the independence," he said of owning a business. "I decided it was time to be my own person."

Folk's Barber Shop offers a variety of haircuts, head shaves, beard trims and face shaves by appointment, Folk said.

Since its opening on Dec. 16, the barbershop has had some community interest, Folk said. Past customers also have approached Folk and told him they would come back for his service, he said.

Folk said his biggest business plan right now is to build the shop back up.

"It's going to be a long-term process," he said.

He added that there's enough floor space in the shop to host another barber that may be looking for a place to start out.

However, the barbershop will not employ anyone else to work for his business, as it is just he who will work at the shop, Folk said.

He said while living in Missouri, he worked at a city barbershop where he dealt with major businessmen.

"I have that information to offer my business now," Folk said.

He said what he is most looking forward to, as his business gains momentum, is seeing his past customers, which have become good friends, and to be able to provide the same quality of service he provided in the past.