Jim McGuire of Pennington
Where’s Bert? I’m pleased to report that Bert is now cutting hair at Mike’s Barber Shop at 16 ½ Witherspoon Street. This is the story of how I found him.
Last Saturday I went to get a haircut at Bert’s old barbershop, as I’ve done for the past 39 years. I was surprised to find that he wasn’t there. I was told that he was on vacation and after that he was going to retire. I was surprised because it wouldn’t be like Bert to leave without letting his loyal customers know.
I was also at a loss because Bert and his brother Tony Sferra have been giving me great haircuts since June 1970. I remember the date because that’s when I enlisted in the National Guard, then in Princeton on River Road, and had to get regular haircuts for weekend drills.
My 25-year-old daughter said: “Dad there are lots of barbers, you can just find someone else.” I explained: “It’s just not that simple, I’ve been going to Bert for a lot longer than you’ve been alive.”
During that time, I’d become friends with Bert and Tony. Their father and my grandmother were neighbors at the senior center on Spruce Circle and we would compare notes on how they were doing. My wife is a schoolteacher and has taught Bert’s grandchildren. When I was the last customer of the day, they would lock the door and invite me to join them for a drink. So, it was more complicated than just finding another barber; it was like losing a friend.
I walked up to Nassau Street to another barbershop. When I got into the chair the barber, asked me how I was doing. I told him not so good, that I just lost my barber of 39 years and explained that I was told that Bert had retired. Frank took the apron off, smiled and said: “You’ll find Bert around the corner at Mike’s Barber Shop.”
I thanked Frank, hurried around the corner and found Bert cutting hair at Mike’s. It was like being reunited with and old friend. For any of you who have waited an hour for a haircut and then skipped being next so that Bert could cut your hair, you know what I mean-and you’ll find Bert at Mike’s.

