Old-fashioned barbershop makes way for skin care facility

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Old-fashioned barbershops are few and far between. For a shop in Roanoke, it's time to say good-bye to the old and make way for the new.

After nearly 40 years, it's as if time has stood still at the Highland Park Barbershop in the historic Old Southwest neighborhood. Randy Leftwich grew up in the neighborhood. He received his first haircut at the shop. That's why he doesn't want to see it go.

But Melinda Kantor wants to give the place a facelift. She wants to move her skin care consulting business into the building. "Skin care is the way of the future, everyone needs to have sun protection every day. That is something I can get out there and preach. Hopefully I can help. I already have clients in the neighborhood, hopefully more will come my way," says Kantor.

Many community members have been fighting the change. However, a petition against Kantor was unsuccessful. The Roanoke Zoning Board approved Kantor's application six to one.

Kantor says she's elated and can't wait to start making some changes. She plans to close her current business in a month. Kantor hopes to have renovations complete in the new building by mid-Summer.

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