Where Chris Carpenter and Mark Bulger Get Their Hair Cut

The Ladue Barber Shop, at 9844 Clayton Road is kind of like a step back in time. There’s nostalgia everywhere, just like one would find at Blueberry Hill in the Loop, Carl’s Drive in in Brentwood or the Olivette Diner. But there's only family photos on the wall. Not head shots of celebrities.

This is much like the tucked-away barbershop at the Missouri Athletic Club in downtown St. Louis.

Ladue Barber Shop serves as headquarters for the sports elite.  Cardinals’ pitcher Chris Carpenter brings his family in for cuts, the same goes for former Rams QB Mark Bulger, current Cardinals’ Joe Kelly and Matt Adams and former PGA touring professional Jay Williamson.

However this is no franchise type of operation. The rules are payment by cash or checks only, no credit cards and and lots of friendly talk. The only concession to modernization are two flat-screened TVs, one with a news channel and the other the Golf Channel.

Just this year, Jeff Billingsley of Ballwin bought the shop from the previous owner. Billingsley has had his name etched on the glass for 24 years now. The staff has three full time employees. Haircuts are $20, beard trims $14.

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The late great Jack Buck came in a few times before he passed away. A lot of successful families patronize the business, no less the Danforth's, the Busch's and other notables.

One guy who came in here that everyone loved was Stan Musial. “That was a real treat. He was everything everyone said he was. He was the most humble guy and it was great to cut his hair. He’s talk anything you wanted. He was just a normal guy," he said, paying tribute to the late hall of famer.

Women get services elsewhere. “I did have one young lady come in one time and asked me if I’d trim her nose hair.” That got a good laugh from the other two barbers.

You can get a shave. Only thing, it’s just around the ears.

The place has some cool historic pieces on display. Crammed in the corner is a 10 cent Coca  Cola machine. “That serves as our refrigerator,” said Billingsley. There’s a cash register, probably going on 100 years old.

Outside on the side of the building is a fully operational barber poll. “That’s my thing. If the battery needs changing, I do it,” said the new owner.

“We’ve watched a lot of kids grow up and go on to college and to the next part of their life," said Billingsley.

The new owner spiced things up a bit recently, painting the walls a nice off colored earth tone. Two large plate glass windows offer a view to the the comings and goings on Clayton Road. “We see a lot of wrecks, people pulling in and out all the time and getting hit,” he said.

The most unusual request: “A guy asked if I could come to his wedding and give all the guys haircuts before they got started. I couldn’t do that one,” he said, laughing.

The phone number is 314-993-9799. But don’t call for an appointment, because they take walk-ins only.