In 2019, Sallisaw city officials proclaimed a day in honor of Dewey Padgett for “his personal service and his personal contributions to the city,” marking 60 years in business as Padgett’s Barber Shop.

Six decades was a big deal, especially for a family-owned small business.

Six decades plus six years is also a big deal, and at last Monday’s City Commissioners’ monthly meeting, officials recognized Padgett as “a shining example and a pillar of the community for having established a business that has made it 66 years,” City Manager Brian Heverly said in honoring Padgett.

“Padgett’s Barber Shop has been a cornerstone of the Sallisaw community since its founding on August 3, 1959,” Ward 3 Commissioner Julian Mendiola said, retracing Padgett’s history. “For 41 years, the shop was located at its original location at 219 N. Oak. The shop has always remained on Oak Street, and now operates at 202 N. Oak. This enduring presence has made it a familiar and trusted establishment for generations.

“A true family business, Padgett’s Barber Shop has seen all three Padgett sons — Rick, Steve and Aaron — join Dewey in the craft of barbering. Their collective dedication has created a warm and welcome environment for customers over the decades. At one point, another local barber even joined their team after his own shop was lost to fire, further demonstrating the shop’s community spirit.

“The shop has witnessed countless milestones, including many first haircuts for children in the area. One of the most remarkable achievements for Dewey was a record-setting day with 182 haircuts, a testament to the trust and loyalty of the community. It is estimated that Dewey alone has performed over 500,000 haircuts during the span of 66 years.

“As Padgett’s Barber Shop celebrates 66 years of service, it stands as a symbol of tradition, family and community pride,” Mendiola said.

Dewey then told a barber shop story about his son, Steve.

“Back years ago, we used to put numbers on the back of their (customers’) head,” Dewey recalled. “And so this boy came in, and it was Shakingbush’s boy. He’s red-headed, his skin was real white. And he said, ‘I want a number 2.’

“Well, Steve gave him a good haircut and put him a nice number 2 [on the back of his head]. That white skin showed up really good. And so when he got through, Steve said, ‘What color you want?’ And the boy said, ‘What do you mean?’ Steve said, ‘Well, we usually color them the school color or whatever?’

“And the boy said, ‘Well, what I wanted was a number 2 blade’.”