As bobs, mullets, afros and Farrah Fawcett layers have come and gone, one hair institution has remained a staple in University City.
Since 1939, Michael's Custom Cuts, located at 40th and Spruce streets, has offered its same quality service in a family environment.
The shop was started by Michael Colabelli and is currently operated by his grandson, also named Michael. Over the years, several members of the Colabelli family have worked in the shop, including the younger Michael's daughter, sister, father and mother.
According to Pete Colabelli, the founder's son and onetime owner of the barbershop, the key to the shop's success has been its adaptability to neighborhood change.
At first, Pete said, the shop catered to a strictly male clientele. However, in the 1970s, when "women started being admitted to Penn and the long hairstyles for men came in," the shop expanded to provide styling services such as dyeing and perming.
The decor of the shop also changed with its patronage. According to the younger Michael, the shop used to be styled in an "old Italian gaudy look" when it was just a barbershop but became more "neutral" when it expanded its services to women and hairstyling.
Though he calls University City families the "bread and butter" of his business, Michael said he enjoys catering to students.
"Students are fun," he said, saying he can try out new hairstyles on them because they are more "adventurous."
Peter, who will celebrate his 50th anniversary working at the shop this June, said that he likes the change and diversity of the neighborhood.
"If the neighborhood wasn't always changing -- I probably would have gotten bored and quit," Peter said.
Long-time customer and Veterinary School professor Sheldon Steinberg agreed that the shop's success stems from its adaptability.
Steinberg, a Philadelphia native who has been getting his hair cut by Pete for 50 years, said that the family has a real interest in catering to the University City community.
"When he first started, he had Playboy magazines in the lounge. Now he has women's fashion magazines," Steinberg said.
With a 66-year track record, Michael's Custom Cuts may be the oldest business, and is certainly the oldest barbershop, in the area.
"I can think of a lot of shops that have come and gone -- but we have always been here," Pete said.
