THE DECOTO BARBER SHOP

The Decoto Barber Shop, located on 10th Street in the Decoto area of Union City, was owned and operated by Rinaldo Caminada in 1939.  Barbering chairs, bought from a defunct Oakland shop  when the Decoto shop opened, were covered with ornate scroll work.  Though there were two chairs, it was really a one-man shop.  The second chair was for small children, narrower and taller, it eliminated the need for a board seat across the handles used in most shops.

Haircuts cost 25 cents and shaves were 25 cents.  A metal free-standing stove was used for heat, and if one should have to wait his turn, the green painted chairs were more comfortable than they appeared.  A bathing suit cutie on the wall and the two calendars minus date pages served as art (Edgren Motors-Fremont-Opposite Washington High School) along with the printed sampler (God Bless America).  One could browse through some of the 1964 and 1968 National Geographic magazines, the Ace Hardware Christmas 1973 Catalog and assorted issues of Better Homes, Women's Day and Merchants Illustrated magazines.

The building still exists today.  However, the barber shop is now gone, a part of history.  There are probably some who still remember waiting for their turn while relaxing in the warm, cozy Decoto Barber Shop.