Familiar Faces

From left, Richmond Clark, Tyson Hennis and Charlie Dundas cut hair at Unique Hair and Ink.

What’s the buzz

Four area barbers fill in style gaps

By Jane Turpin Moore | Photos by Pat Christman

In a lather about Junior’s shaggy locks as the school picture date rapidly approaches?

Never fear — Mankato’s barbers are here. They’re well-trained, experienced and primed to cut any which way their customers prefer.

Classic comb-over? They’ve got you covered. Low, medium or high fade? It’s made in the shade with these pros. Need a perm for a stylin’ curly top? Just say the word. Mad for a mullet? They’ll make it yours. Need knowledgeable hands to manage your biracial locks? Look no further than the streets of Mankato.

Four barbers, representing locally owned barbershops, buzzed about their businesses and backgrounds — and the “mane” benefits of being a barber.

Unique Hair & Ink

Former high school athlete Charlie Dundas knew he liked to work with his hands — and that he probably wasn’t cut out for collegiate academics.

“My grades weren’t there for college, and I wasn’t interested in four more years of school,” said Dundas. “But I was cutting my own hair during my senior year (at Mankato West).

“There weren’t too many barbers here who could cut and line up my hair — basically, there was a lack of providers for people with hair like mine,” said Dundas, who is biracial.

Contemplating his post-secondary plans, Dundas and his mom researched various trades and he landed on barbering.

Tyler Hennis puts the finishing touches on a haircut.

Above: Charlie Dundas trims up Jermaine Combs’ hair. Below: Jermaine Combs checks Charlie Dundas’ handiwork after a haircut at Unique Hair and Ink.

“Within a few months, I loved it,” said Dundas, who — like all the other barbers interviewed here — graduated from the Twin Cities’ Moler Barber School of Minnesota.

Now with five years of barbering under his belt, Dundas works at the new-in-2021 Unique Hair & Ink, 826 S. Front St., owned by Richmond and Jennifer Clark.

Marketed as a tattoo and grooming parlor, Unique Hair & Ink keeps its two barbers — Dundas and Richmond Clark — clipping apace.

“I’ve started helping fill the niche for curly hair, but I cut all kinds of hair — white, Hispanic, African, Ethiopian, anyone’s,” Dundas said. “I’d say we cut hair for everyone from age 1 to 90.

“And even after five years, we still hear some new customers say, ‘Oh, we always went to the Cities to get our hair cut,’ but they don’t have to anymore.”

Dundas likes doing bald fades — a style that progresses from “no hair on the sides to hair on the top” — and taper fades. He also finds pleasure in creating hair designs for adventurous clients.

“Many kids like lightning bolts or stars etched in, and I can do free-style designs, too,” Dundas said. “I’ve had a lot of comments from people saying I’m pretty artistic, and I guess, after five years of barbering, OK, it’s an art.”

For men desiring some pampering or simply a good close shave, Dundas is ready with the smooth moves.

“I specialize in beard trims and shaves with a straight-blade razor,” he said, describing what sounds like a relaxing process.

“I recline them, apply a hot towel to loosen up the facial pores, lather ‘em up, do the shave, apply another hot towel, then some after-shave and they’re good to go.”

Dundas suggests a barber’s shave is an excellent way for a man to treat himself when preparing for a return to an in-person office after months upon months of pandemic-enforced working from home.

“A lot of guys like to come in for a shave before work or on their lunch breaks.”

With school days fast approaching, Dundas suggests parents pick up the phone or visit a website to make an appointment, if possible, so those young heads will look their best come picture day.

“We do more of the classic Ivy League cuts or comb-overs with a nice part for back-to-school because most parents don’t want a hair design for those photos. It’s all about nice clean cuts.”

Besides perfecting his barbering skills, Dundas has honed his listening abilities over the past five

Barber Zach Goodsell finishes cutting Al Johnson’s hair at Goodyz Barber Shop.

years.

“Honestly, a lot of barbers start feeling like therapists. People come in and talk about their problems, and it feels good when I can give them a great haircut,” he said.

“It changes their day, knowing they look good, and that makes my day. The best part is when I hand them the mirror and they glow up; that’s what I go for.”

GoodyZ Barbershop Inc.

Zach Goodsell, owner/barber at GoodyZ Barbershop Inc. located at 407 Range St. in North Mankato, cuts right to the chase.

“We specialize in quality haircuts,” Goodsell said.

“We do a lot of fades and razor fades, and the older gentlemen love the hot lather shaves on their beards or heads. I do a lot of those.”

Goodsell is skilled at using enhancement sprays, using an airbrush gun and a dye that lasts roughly five days.

“We can darken any light spots or fill in a patchy beard.”

While Goodsell has worked since November 2019 as a licensed barber, his haircutting days extend back about five years. Some tough life circumstances nearly derailed him along the way — his brother died, and shortly after starting at Moler Barber School, he broke his dominant hand (“I thought my career was over before it ever really began.”)

But Goodsell weathered the obstacles and, when the shop at which he worked closed due to the pandemic, he decided to open his own.

“GoodyZ opened in September 2020,” said Goodsell, who stumbled on the business’ moniker when trying to find a domain address that featured a combination of his last and first names.

“I like it.”

Goodsell spent months remodeling his shop, which he hopes to expand from its twobarber setup to include cosmetologists as well.

Meanwhile, he and his employee keep their scissors flying.

“Business is really good. We’ve had nothing but five-star reviews, and we keep building our customer base,” he said.

“We have clients from 2 to 90, and we do whatever is requested — bald fades, flat tops, combovers with parts in them, designs — you name it. Mullets, bullets and flat-tops are popular, and we give discounts to college students, seniors and active-duty military or veterans.”

While Goodsell recommends appointments, walk-ins also are accepted. A Mankato-area native, Goodsell strives to offer first-rate customer service with a personal touch.

“I’m about quality, and we’re trying to do something different than the average franchise shop,” he said.

“I look at barbering as an art, and I take pride in my work and craft. I like to see customers walking out of our shop happy and looking their best.”

MJ’s Sports Barbershop

The husband-wife barber team of Marco and Alexia Juarez opened the lively MJ’s Sports Barbershop, located in the River Hills Mall, 1850 Adams St., in Mankato in 2014, deciding to tap into the sports interest they knew many men harbored.

“It’s definitely a sports atmosphere here,” Alexia said. “A lot of guys make it their tradition to talk about sports while getting haircuts, so we have screens with games going on and someone is always talking about something — football during that season, UFC fights, World Cup soccer — you name it.”

But, she said, “Everyone’s welcome. We cut for all ages, from about 3 or 4 years old on up, and I know we’ve even done some 1-year-olds.”

The Juarezes have 10 barbers working at MJ’s Sports Barbershop, with those who rent chairs from them taking their own appointments.

“We’re open seven days a week and we accept walk-ins, so it’s easy for you to get your hair cut whenever it’s convenient for you,” Alexia said.

With the lengthy list of styles available, including fades, tapers, Mohawks, Afros, razor shaves or designs, clients can select any game that tames their mane.

“Mullets are really trending, believe it or not. And perms are getting popular with the guys; they really want that curly hair on top. All kinds of ages and types get hair designs these days, too.”

That includes numerous women who request cuts featuring designs in back while keeping their hair longer on the top and sides.

“Then they can show off their design when they want to or let their hair down and hide it at other times.”

The Juarezes relish the positive effect their haircuts have on customers.

“Getting that reaction when a customer sees their finished haircut is great,” Alexia said, “and we like hearing, ‘I got that job; the

haircut really helped.’

“I’ve been cutting (hair for) people here for seven years and have enjoyed growing with our customers; some who were in elementary school when I started are now in college and that’s really awesome.

“It’s great to grow with people and be involved in their lives.”

Dan’s Barber Shop

At this classic shop that’s been part of Mankato’s head game “since Jesus walked on water,” as master barber/owner Mark Weingartz put it, the seasons of life drive the shears.

“It’s a very interesting business,” said North Mankato native Weingartz, who bought his shop from Dan Quaderer in 2009.

Quaderer still fills in for Weingartz and barber Jerry Krueger on a “cameo basis,” and the eponymous “Dan” in fact opened the shop in 1964 — somewhat more recently than Weingartz first suggested.

“Sure, we get some back-toschool haircuts,” Weingartz said, “and summer is our busiest season with lots of weddings and social events guys want to clean up for.

“And part of our business is ag-oriented. In autumn, we don’t see many bear hunters during September and October or deer hunters in November; the outdoor sportsmen turn up again around Thanksgiving.”

But when they do show their faces and fuzzy pates at the door of Dan’s Barber Shop, 201 N. Victory Drive, Weingartz and Krueger know exactly what to do, with both barbering veterans set and skilled to serve.

“We’re seeing a throwback to ‘40s and ‘50s cuts, with hair shaved down or clipped real close to the side and longer on top,” Weingartz said.

“It’s a kind of blending together of two different hair styles, with lots of low, medium, high and even military-type high fades. If you look at any movies from the ‘40s, those are the (male) styles we are seeing.”

Such trends don’t phase Weingartz, who switched to barbering in 2003-04 after a 26-plus-year career at Carlson Craft.

“I remember a barber school instructor saying we could expect the styles to change about every Mark Weingartz cuts Don Pawlitschek’s hair at Dan’s Barber Shop.

Barber Jerry Krueger cleans a clipper blade.

10 years,” he said. “Keep your eyes on male models and actors because people tend to follow the styles Hollywood creates.”

Although Weingartz says 99.9% of Dan’s Barber Shop customers are men, increasingly they have female clients dropping in for short haircuts, too.

Weingartz observes it’s been a “slow return to normal” following the 11-week public health-related shutdown of the hair industry in 2020, but as summer 2021 unfolds, he and Krueger are draping capes over the shoulders of two to four new customers daily.

“Due to the great circle of life, we sadly lose about one customer a month, but then a new face shows up at the door,” said Weingartz, who also notes they have a “healthy student customer base” from the area’s colleges.

Weingartz appreciates the autonomy of self-employment, which was a primary motivator for his career shift 17 years ago. He also finds satisfaction in helping other people look their best.

“There was a man in Jerry’s chair not long ago who hadn’t had a cut in five years. It’s basically a transformation at that point.” Weingartz said.

“But we saw a lot of dramatic ‘before and afters’ due to the pandemic, too.” MM

MSU librarian Kellian Clink.

Hittin’ the books

College librarians love books, websites, and most importantly, students

By Nell Musolf | Photos by Pat Christman

For the past 34 years, librarian Kellian Clink has been helping Minnesota State University students navigate the maze that higher education often can be.

Clink, who attended Concordia College in Moorhead and received her master’s degree in library science from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, sees her job as a “privilege.”

“I love the promise of working with college-age students. All of them are in the process of becoming. I

love that when I meet them across my desk to when they are graduating that they have solidified. I call it the Jell-O effect,” she said. “They start off with basic understandings of who they are and as they interact with others, they discover their strengths and their challenges. They do the absolutely ineffable thing called maturing. I just love them with all my heart.”

Clink’s desk is the reference desk she shares with other MSU reference librarians, located on the first floor of Memorial Library and where all students can go with any question. Clink said students often do not initially ask the question they need answered. They might start by asking where the periodicals are or where other reference materials are shelved. It is Clink’s job to start digging and find out what the student needs and how she can help them.

“I pry out of them what is the assignment, how big is it, when is it due? Then I try to break it down into more manageable pieces.”

Those pieces might include encyclopedias, articles and editorials. Or perhaps searching for current statistics that can be found on websites such as the Wilder Foundation or Minnesota Demographic Center or Culture Cares. Clink said students often come to the reference desk after struggling on their own for hours.

“The last thing we try to say to every student is: ‘Please come back with more questions.’ One of the things I emphasize is don’t struggle. If I, with 35 years of experience, can’t help you find whatever you’re looking for quicker and more efficiently, they’re paying me too much.”

In addition to her time behind the reference desk, Clink also spends time in front of the classroom teaching library sessions where she shares more tools students can use to make their studies more efficient and enriching.

“In library sessions, I emphasize the assignment. I talk about the kinds of information they need — contextual, specific studies, geographically specific information. I talk to them about keywords, such as analysis, study, demographics. Mostly though, if they understand at the end of the session that I care about them, I feel privileged and honored to be on their educational journey.”

Having been a librarian for three plus decades, Clink has seen many changes over the years and also has witnessed firsthand how important a university’s library can be.

“I think it is so important to be open to big conversations. I think librarians should work on understanding the college journey better in general and with all our special populations. We could have monthly sessions about veterans and college, LGBTQ in college, Somali, Hmong, Karen, Sudanese, Indigenous, Latinx in college,” she said. “These years are when kids think about their ethnic identity, their spirituality, their intellectual development, as well as the skills and characteristics that are going to come into play as working adults.”

Clink also believes learning how to develop thinking skills is vital during the college years.

“I think it is super important when students respond to a teacher’s assigned reading, they already know what the teacher wants them to think about it. I feel that if students don’t have to wrangle with making up their own minds about what they are reading, they are not getting the critical thinking skills they will need as a human, as a citizen and as a practitioner.”

Clink takes the time to look at the university’s health survey results every year and buy books based on what she has learned from them, such as self-help books

South Central College librarian Heather Biedermann.

about sleep, anxiety and whatever else students indicated they are experiencing.

“They can and probably do go to social media for help, but books written by someone who has practiced in the field for lots of years has strategies to offer our students.”

In addition to receiving awards for the work she has done with MSU students, the emails Clink has received over the years thanking her for her help also mean a lot, she said.

“I love it that some of my former students keep in touch and reach out to me if they’re back in Mankato.”

One of those students was someone Clink saw almost every week while the student struggled with chemistry.

“She was convinced she was going to flunk so I looked at her grades as soon as they were posted and she got a B plus! She was also someone who I had pretty in-depth conversations with about her career plans and she did well for herself.”

Clink recalled giving a graduation party for two of her students. “Both of their grandmothers pulled me aside to ask if their grandchild was ‘the best kid I’d ever met,’” she said. Clink is still in touch with both students 10 years later.

At South Central College in North Mankato, Heather Biedermann has been a faculty librarian since 2018. Biedermann, who has lived in Mankato since the early 1990s and received her library science degree from Dominican University in River Forest, Illinois, said her main duty is to serve the campus community as a reference and instruction librarian.

“I help students identify their information needs for their college courses. I also do collection development — I select, purchase, catalog and maintain our collections of materials that support all our academic programs,” Biedermann said. “I also teach information literacy in the classroom so students can identify quality resources in their research.”

Her job requires that she keep abreast of new library technology so she can keep electronic resources working for online students. She frequently gets questions about how to narrow down students’ search terms in the library’s databases because the students often get too many hits on their search.

“It is a lot of fun to show students how to use the built-in features of databases to narrow things down, which is often as easy as adding additional search terms, using ‘and’ or ‘not,’ or turning on limiters to dates, subjects and article type,” Biedermann said. “I love to sit down with students and talk about what they are

looking for, to have them describe it in their own words. Sometimes just having a person talk out their research ideas helps them figure out a solution on their own.” While many students come to Biedermann as Google fans, they are often disappointed with the results. “The library databases take a lot of the pain away in searching. The best for me was having a student try a few of my tips on his search and find the perfect article. He shook my hand and said he will always come to the library for help. That made my day!” The library at South Central College fields upward of 400 reference questions a semester, not including all the questions asked at the circulation desk. The college’s librarians visit about 25 classes each semester and have online tutorials integrated into online learning, the usage of which picked up quite a bit after the pandemic started. “Our headcount before the pandemic was around 250 people throughout a typical day. We are a small library, so it always impresses me how many students make the library their main destination to do schoolwork.” Over the years Biedermann has noticed a few changes in how students use the library. Students used to only want to use print materials, such as local newspapers and magazines, for their research. “Now they almost all want to use subjects and article type,” our online databases to find Biedermann said. “I love to sit articles and news,” Biedermann down with students and talk about said. “But some things do stay the what they are same, and for that I’m grateful. I remember news sources saying many years ago libraries were on their way out. That hasn’t happened, and it

articles and news,” Biedermann “But some things do stay the and for that I’m grateful. I news sources saying years ago libraries were on their way out. That hasn’t happened, and it

seems libraries are needed now more than ever.”

She cites being a good listener as important when helping students.

“Sometimes chatting with a student, you may learn about other problems happening in their personal life that are making it hard for them to succeed in school. The library tries to connect students with the people who can help them fix their problems,” Biedermann said. “We try our best to help. The students are why we are here. I think we all do our best to make the students feel valued and have great services. SCC is a wonderful school community. The faculty and staff all work hard to help every student succeed. We love our students.”

Working with college-age students reminds Biedermann to see the world through the same enthusiastic eyes.

“It is like the fountain of youth when you work at a college. All the students remind you how cool and new life is when you are starting out. The students make me a lot more optimistic and happier when they’re around.”

Biedermann will be happy when the campus — and the library — is back to normal this fall.

“I think this fall semester if everything goes back to normal, I am going to be beyond happy,.” MM

By Pat Christman

There is something about fishing that strengthens the bond between people young and old. The act of baiting a hook, casting out and trying to find fish is an experience easily learned and fun to share.

Catching, of course, is the most fun experience to share. The excitement on a young person’s face when he pulls in his first fish is a wonderful thing, no matter how big the fish. Those experiences can’t be bought in a store

or found on a screen. MM

Sherry Swart opened Vivian Rose Boutique five years ago. She’s been busy at her downtown location.

Comfortable & Cute

Boutique owners help women curate back-to-the-office outfits

Accessories, accessories, accessories. Chain necklaces are in and an easy way to dress up an outfit.

Business on top. Comfy on the bottom.

The last year and a half, most office workers set up their workstations at home — living rooms, kitchen tables, bedrooms, beds. It was that new normal that everyone was talking about. Instead of heading out for the morning commute to our 9-5 jobs, we rolled into a new routine — which did not include pulling out those ironed slacks and blouses.

For many, working from home allowed a sense of freedom when it came to picking out the daily thread. Some (much like myself) opted for comfy stretchy pants and stained college sweaters. Others threw on nice shirts and cardigans to be presentable at the neverending Zoom meetings. And some, maybe not many, continued to dress up.

Largely, people chose comfort and it was a main trend of 2020. In fact, according to the data from Adobe Analytics, sales between March and April 2020 for PJs went up by 143% — pants fell by 13% and bra sales even dropped by 12%.

As the workforce heads back to the office, the trend — and desire for — comfort remains.

The basics

Sherry Swart’s passion has always been styling and clothes. And five years ago, with some encouragement from her husband, she began her shop, Vivian Rose Boutique.

The boutique initially was exclusively online — it was just about a year ago that Swart opened her physical store near the event center, 12 S. Riverfront Drive in Suite 132.

“Our ‘warehouse’ took up the second floor of our home, so we said, ‘OK, it’d be awesome to have our home back,’” Swart said.

For customers, that means browsing the boutique’s items in person, returning online items and even partaking in private styling sessions right in the boutique. (Swart offered styling sessions before in her own home, too.)

Helping others feel comfortable and great in their own skin is the best part about styling for Swart.

“You see it on their face,” she said. Sometimes when customers have been searching for a perfect outfit for a job interview, party or any event, they come to Swart almost resigned. “You help them find something that speaks to them and fits them perfectly — you can see the change on their face — that’s my favorite feeling.”

And it all begins with a few basic staples: a pair of bottoms, a couple of basic tops, a great pair of jeans, a jacket and a classic blouse. The key, Swart said, is versatility and longevity to any piece of clothing.

“I think that styling basics, you have a couple of amazing pieces and go from there,” she said.

A few items that the owner of Sota Sisters, Amber Bannerman, would include are a great dress shoe — perhaps a brown or black boot for the upcoming fall season. One item she’s seen flying off her racks is liquid leather jackets.

“I’m showing people every time I work if they’re looking for a jacket,” Bannerman said. The jacket can easily be dressed up with a dress or even worn to the office with black dress pants.

Bannerman, who also offers personal styling before and after operating hours at the boutique, suggests adding color to a basic outfit.

Vivian Rose Boutique Facebook and Instagram: @Vivianroseboutique vivianroseboutique.com Generations Boutique

Facebook and Instagram: @generationsboutiquemn generationsboutiquemn.com

“Easily dress up an outfit with a great necklace … A cute purse adds a pop of color — mustard or a burgundy purse is great for fall,” Bannerman said.

Basic T-shirts also can be added to that list, said Abby Frey, owner of Generations Boutique at 326 S. Minnesota Ave. in St. Peter.

Frey, who’s owned Generations for a few months, also offers personal styling.

“I want to make everyone feel confident in themselves, and I love the whole ‘generations’ — having clothes for all ages,” she said.

Generations offers a variety of clothes that’ll suit anyone’s taste, including all of the basics. And even though the trend seems to be going toward more comfort, Frey tries to provide something for everyone.

“Some people come in here and want dressy clothes, some people come in here and do not want dressy clothes, so it’s important that I have stuff for everyone.”

But having a few basic items in a closet can help build a perfect — and comfortable — outfit for work.

“A camo jacket, jean jacket, cardigan or sweaters — they’re easy to dress up,” Frey said. “Depending on your shoes, you can dress it up or down with heels or boots, or sandals. It’s really easy to build off of something simple.”

Fashionably comfortable

Pre-pandemic times, office wear was more structured pieces — blazers, classic dress pants and more dresses.

“We’ve had a big shift and I think we, collectively as women, are saying we want our pants to be comfortable,” Swart said. “We deserve comfortable pants.”

Swart’s noticed more pants are available with great stretch but they still look professional.

“Even jeans that have more of a trouser type of look can go business casual,” Swart said.

At this moment in our shift back to the office, the vibe is more business casual than it ever has been, she said.

The Sota Sisters has seen more requests for skirts. Though some shoppers look for more comfy clothes to wear back to the office, Bannerman’s also seen a mix of casual and dressy items. But one trend that’s been hitting the stores and fashionistas are the widelegged dress pants.

“That goes along with the shift during the pandemic — dressing more comfortably,” Bannerman said, who sells wide-legged pants. The pants are typically pull-on — no zipper — to maximize comfort.

Of course, everyone’s comfort level is different, Swart said. Some may feel better wearing the typical office outfit with heels and all — it all boils down to the person wearing the clothing. But there’s bound to be a shift in the everyday office outfit as a result of the pandemic.

“I think we realized that we’re more productive when we’re comfortable,” Swart said. “If I’m not comfortable, I won’t gravitate towards (a piece of clothing). … I want to look good and be comfortable, and I think that can be done.”

Sota Sisters Boutique Facebook and Instagram: @sotasistersboutique sotasistersboutique.com

Upcoming trends for fall

If there’s one thing everyone knows about fashion is that it always comes back.

For the upcoming season, shoppers can expect vintageinspired jeans, animal and floral prints, flannel and plaid — lots of it.

“Plaid’s going to be huge,” Bannerman said.

At a recent clothing market Bannerman visited in St. Paul, she saw a ton of plaid jackets in different color combinations and design styles ready to be worn this upcoming season. Colors such as mustard yellow and other fall colors will remain the year’s trendy colors. One that may be surprising for some are different shades of greens.

“Lime greens are coming back in a big way, and I think we all think ‘80s,” Swart said. “Lime green can be appealing if it’s just the right cut or if it’s just the right piece.”

And the most surprising trend making a comeback for Frey are flare jeans. She’s gearing up to sell the trendy comeback jeans at her store.

Back to the office. Blazers, cardigans and blouses are still in, just more comfortable.

“They’re going pretty quick at other stores,” Frey said. “Flare jeans have been very popular — I see them everywhere.”

Other jeans hitting the racks are the wide-legged jeans and the so-called Mom jeans.

Though trends come and go, the best part of fashion is being uniquely you — no rules are necessary to be fashionable.

“Anything goes when expressing yourself,” Bannerman said. “That’s becoming more popular — unique style — you can find something for everyone.”

Going back to work may spur an inspiration to try something different or new. Swart encourages people to look through online boards such as Pinterest.

“I even personally go on there and I’m amazed,” she said. “It’s an easy way to develop a sense of style and you can see what things you keep gravitating towards.”

But personally, Swart usually gets inspired by the everyday woman walking down the street.

“For instance, there’s this really fabulous woman who is head to toe vintage, and it looks so modern, so beautiful,” Swart said. “It’s all about finding pieces that speak to you and wearing them with confidence and you’ll start a trend.”

And the most important thing to remember is to feel great in your skin.

“There’s something for everybody,” Swart said. “The best quote I ever saw was to learn to dress the body you have— don’t punish your body, dress in what makes you feel good. And if you don’t like the size, cut it out. These are clothes. They have no power to make you feel bad — only good.” MM