Moore’s Barber Shop (Current and Historic)

Subject of Research

Story

This building was built in 1940 by the Fairway Homes Company, according to Arlington County building permit #102878C (Arlington County 2019). The 1955 Arlington County directory lists LH Morgan’s Barber Shop and Ruby’s Beauty Shop, with Moore’s Barber Shop and Apts. listed in 1959, 1961, 1967, and 1972 directories (Hill Publishing Company 1955-1976).

During the Spring of 2017, students in the Urban Design Studio at Virginia Tech’s Master’s in Urban and Regional Planning Program (Alexandria campus) partnered with Arlington County’s Historic Preservation Program (HPP) to document and map “Legacy Businesses,” defined as those businesses in operation for more than 10 years. The study also gave special attention to businesses over 25 years old in the Green Valley neighborhood and along Lee Highway in Arlington, both of which are undergoing redevelopment and/or community visioning processes. Through oral interviews and archival research, the study produced short histories of several businesses in relation to the overall Arlington community. The goal of the project was to highlight the stories and voices associated with long-time places that may not be typically viewed as “historic” resources, but that nonetheless comprise an essential part of community character and vitality (Virginia Tech UAP 2017).

From the Legacy Business website at: https://www.legacybusinessarlington.com/moores-barber

Mr. James Moore, Sr., established Moore’s Barber Shop in Hall’s Hill in 1960. In 2002, the elder Mr. Moore retired and turned over the business to his son, James Moore, Jr. He had been working in the shop since he was seven years old, sweeping the floors and doing other odd tasks, and eventually joining as a full-‐time barber in 1991. The barber shop has long been known as place for not only a great haircut, but also lively conversation and a friendly atmosphere. Its walls are papered with photos of clients and other memorabilia marking historic moments in the D.C. region and country.

Mr. Jim Moore, Sr., started the barber shop in 1960, originally with a partner and at a different location a few blocks down on Lee Highway (where the KFC is now). The younger Mr. Moore started working in the shop when he was 7 years old, sweeping the floors and doing other odds and ends for a dollar per day. This continued through his youth. In 1991 he started working there full time as a barber, which allowed Mr. Moore Sr. to step back a bit from his work until he fully retired in 2002. Mr. Moore explained that many of the small independent barber shops don’t exist anymore due to competition with low-‐cost chains. Historically, the barber shop business was one of the few businesses black men could open and use to support their families. The barber shop is about personal service and relationships, and Moore’s has been able to maintain those over the years. They have generations of clients now who have been coming there for decades, and many from far away. Many young people who come are not as engaged in conversations, and Mr. Moore has had to use social media more to promote their shop in addition to word of mouth.

People

James Moore Sr.
James Moore Jr.

Place

4807 Lee Highway
Arlington, VA 22207

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