A STITCH IN TIME

Saturday, June 12, 1999

Akron Beacon Journal

I was padding around in my stocking feet at my mother-in-law's house recently when she spotted a hole in my sock.

"I know, I know. I should throw these things out and get some new ones," I told her. "Have you ever thought about darning them?" she asked.

Uh . . . well . . . no. Frankly, it never even entered my mind.

She shook her head in disbelief. That's because my in-laws are Depression-era veterans. They'd never dream of throwing something out that could be repaired for less than the cost of a new one.

But I come from the throwaway generation that uses busy schedules as excuses to abandon thrifty living. I know someone who would just as soon toss out a shirt as iron it. And I'm not kidding.

That's one of the challenges facing Pat Feeney, owner of Bernie's Shaver Shop in Akron. Feeney repairs electric razors; most of his customers are older adults reared in the Depression. And -- to put it bluntly -- they're a dying breed.

Younger people aren't as likely to put the effort into repair, he said.

Feeney, 39, understands the disposable mind-set. He had it before he bought the East Exchange business nearly three years ago.

"Even some of my friends say they're going to come in and they don't," he said. "They're lazy. Rather than spend the $24 for a new screen and cutter, they'll buy a new razor for $60."

That's why Feeney believes he's the last shaver repair shop in a city that once had a half dozen or more. "I'm committed to keeping this place here, whether I'm running it myself or not," said Feeney, who was an insurance broker in his previous life. "It serves a need, however small."

Feeney is hoping that as we baby boomers get up in years, we'll develop more of an appreciation for old-fashioned frugality. But he's not holding his breath.

That's why he also sells new razors and related devices such as nose-hair clippers and plaque removers. (Baby boomers certainly should have a growing appreciation for those appliances as they navigate middle age.)

He deals primarily in Norelco, Braun, Wahl and Remington brands, but he can special order just about anything. If Dad or Grandpa needs a new gadget for Father's Day, Bernie's has plenty of choices.

But if you visit, don't be surprised if you never make it to the razor display. The shop is crammed with collectibles such as vintage 1977 Star Wars figurines and an ancient Bell & Howell 8 mm movie camera.

Entering the shop is like opening the door to some eccentric relative's spare bedroom. There's stuff everywhere -- and lots of it will push the nostalgia button in boomers.

An original Howdy Doody Doll sits close to a still-packaged Red Ryder B.B. Gun. There's one of those Diet Pepsi bottles, circa 1972, that was heated and stretched at the neck.

There's a whole collection of Halloween McNugget Buddies still in wrappers and a Mattel Pre-School Putt-Putt Construction Yard set. (If you're older than 30, you'll recognize it.)

One of my favorite offerings is an original Twister game, dating to the late '60s and in perfect condition.

Feeney also has paraphernalia from other time periods, including a pair of strap-on ice skates from the 1920s, a tin Ferris wheel from the 1930s and a Kodak darkroom set from the late 1940s.

If you're into sports cards, check out the 1939 Joe Dimaggio card or the Rocky Colavito tribute from 1957. Feeney has plenty of less expensive ones, including basketball player Mark Price's rookie card. (Its fortunes dropped as dramatically as the Cavs. It was $20 in his heyday; now it's $1.50)

Feeney bought the business in 1996 from Bernie Haberman, who first opened the shaver shop on South Main Street in 1951. (Haberman moved the business to East Exchange Street in 1970 and it's been there ever since.)

Feeney got to know Haberman while working at his family's business, Feeney Tire, which is down the street from the shop. When Haberman said he was ready to retire and move to Florida, Feeney's dad talked him into buying the business.

"It's about the most stress-free job you could have. I repair razors, talk to the customers and watch baseball," said Feeney. "I'm not in it for the money."

Bernie's Shaver Shop is at 828 E. Exchange St. It's open Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Wednesdays and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The shop is closed Mondays.

--------------------------------------------------------------- 1999 AKRON BEACON JOURNAL