For nearly 50 years, Simon's Barber Shop owner Jim Simon has found the secret to success by expanding his business while maintaining personal relationships with employees and patrons for generations.

"Basically I guess the relationship is almost like a family atmosphere—it's not a customer atmosphere around here," Jim said. "They're friends and they're more family than they are customers. All of our barbers here have been with me at least 20-something years."

In keeping with the family atmosphere, Jim's sons Jimmy and Kevin and his daughter-in-law Nikki work at the shop, which opened its first location in Houston during the 1960s and a second shop about a decade later in The Woodlands area.

Both venues operated until the Houston location closed about three years ago, Jim said. The business, now located in Oak Ridge North, has moved to four different storefronts throughout the years and expanded from two barbers to eight.

"Every time we've made a move [in location], it's only been because our space has run out because of handling people," Jim said. "We have no plans on increasing the number of shops. We'd like to keep it a big family gathering."

Houston resident John Moffitt said Jim has been his barber for more than 40 years. Moffitt, who had hair down to his shoulders, originally stumbled upon Simon's Barber Shop in Houston when he was working for Amoco in the 1970s and has become a loyal customer ever since. Moffitt said low-price haircuts, quality service and familiarity keep him coming back to the business.

"Even when I was a young man, he was mostly cutting old men's hair, but I just never thought I'd end up being one of them," Moffitt said. "I don't know what he does, but I think he turns the clipper on their head, and it makes them happy."

With 18 years of experience at the barber shop, Kevin said he enjoys interacting with customers and continues to ensure the business is active within the community.

The shop's employees travel to homes in the area to provide free or low-cost haircuts for older customers with health problems.

In addition, the business hosts fundraisers for various schools and sports programs in The Woodlands and Oak Ridge North areas.

Hundreds of people, including men, women and children, visit the shop each week, and some weekends about 40 customers can be seen waiting in line for a haircut, Jim said. Keeping a close-knit atmosphere continues to be a priority despite the business' success, he said.

"With the eight barbers, we have a variety of personalities in the shop," Jim said. "There's some that are outgoing and some that are conservative, and with the mix of the barbers that we have, it gives customers a wide choice."

Services and pricing

• Men's haircuts - $13
• Women's haircuts (shampoo, styling, highlighting and coloring) – vary, typically $25 and up
• Children's haircuts - $13
• Senior citizens' haircuts - $12

Customer and employee comments

"Let's say [Jim Simon's] been cutting my hair 43 years, I've probably gotten five, maybe 10 hair cuts by barbers that weren't him. He knows exactly what I like." - John Moffitt, customer

"We see lots of regular customers. All of our customers are family to us as many years as we've been [seeing] them." - Kevin Simon, employee

Simon's Barber Shop, 26797 Hanna Road, Ste. 4, Oak Ridge North 281-364-1288

Hours: Tue., Thu. and Fri. 9 a.m.–6 p.m., Wed. 9 a.m.–7 p.m., Sat. 8 a.m.–1 p.m., closed Sun. and Mon.