The two biggest influences in Bob Catanza's life were his uncle and his grandfather. Growing up on the east side of Cleveland, Bob was a frequent visitor to his uncle's barbershop in Mayfield. The shop had seven barber chairs lining one wall, with another row of chairs for those waiting running down the opposite wall. Both walls were mirrored and afforded a panoramic view of the entire shop. It was a sight that Bob found positively mesmerizing, but the part that made the biggest impression on him was that his uncle knew everybody coming into the shop. He knew all about them, all about their families, and everything that was going on in the neighborhood.

Bob's grandfather taught him the importance of working with his hands. He taught him that you can do anything with your hands, and that by working with your head and hands instead of your body you will go far in life. The second piece of wisdom this wise man bestowed on his young grandson was that the more people you can help in life, the more prosperous you will become.

The owner of Allstate Hairstyling & Barber College was a friend of Bob's grandfather, and soon the introductions were made and Bob became an Allstate student. After graduation, Bob began his hair cutting career in 1987, and in 1999 he had opened his own shop across from Holy Trinity Church. By 2005 Catanza's Barber Shop had outgrown its original location, and Bob moved his business to his present Chester Road address where he now employs five barbers. We met with Bob recently, and listened as he described the services available at Catanza's Barber Shop;

Catanza's Barber Shop is a full-service barber shop providing fast, friendly service. We offer regular hair cuts, traditional tapers, square backs, styles, beard trims, face shaves with a straight razor, neck shaves, head shaves, and men's color and cuts. Everyone working here is very experienced and a graduate of Allstate Barber College. Rather than taking appointments, we cater exclusively to walk-in customers and have four barbers on duty during the day and three each evening.

Using a straight razor has become somewhat of a lost art, but we still do because it creates a sharper, crisper appearance. We put shaving cream around the neck and ears and then produce the cleaner neck line that the men really like.

Catanza's Barber Shop is handicapped accessible and has a wider entrance to accommodate wheelchairs. We also make house calls for customers who do not have the mobility to come to the shop.

Our walls are covered with sports memorabilia and photos of local kids who have gone off to college. To the delight of our customers, we recently installed two television sets that are usually tuned to ESPN.

Catanza's Barber Shop is a full-service barber shop providing fast, friendly service. Stop by Catanza's Barber Shop today, and don't forget to tell them The Advocate sent you!

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