A Barber's Philosphy

ELLENTON – There is a place where the importance of tradition trumps credentials. It’s a location where conversation flows freely and effective advice cost only $12 an hour. The aromatherapy of aftershave and hair cream creates a relaxing environment for customers of all ages and an antique chair seems like the most comfortable place on earth. At His Place, customers can relax and share whatever is on their mind while their favorite barber, Wendell Whitney Thorne, articulates his philosophies on life.

”The barbershop is a place where different generations come together to touch base with one another without being in a bar,“ said Thorne. ”They talk, sit, relax and discuss. Boys glean something by being around men interacting with each other. There is an aspect of respect that isn’t really found anywhere else.“

Thorne is passionate about male grooming. So passionate, that he wrote a book about it. Don’t Worry it Will Grow Back is a collection of non-fiction stories inspired by Thorne’s life as a barber. Thorne and other local authors will be signing copies of their works Saturday from 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. at Mixon Fruit Farms, 2525 27th St. E. in Bradenton.

Critics have described Don’t Worry it Will Grow Back as funny, touching and nostalgic. There is a general theme of hope throughout the book, one that reflects Thorne’s own life choices.

Thorne is a former attorney who specialized in criminal defense and employment discrimination. His job required him to be away from his family, which was growing at a rapid rate. As a father of four, he started contemplating the legacy of the men in his family and realized his father and grandfather had never been around much.

”My father and grandfather were good at escaping when things got too touchy feely,“ said Thorne. ”I wanted to stop that legacy and resist the temptation to run. Now I get to enjoy family milestones and have an impact on the lives of my children.“

Thorne left the practice and became a barber – a profession that he’d been fascinated by as a child. He now owns and operates an ”old fashioned gentleman's barbershop“ called His Place in Ellenton. The shop is located in the historic brick bank building across from Gamble Mansion.

Thorne loves his new job – because he feels that interacting with people helps one cope with life in general. Thorne’s vast array of experience comes through in his book. From sports to scuba diving to dealing with cancer – the general feelings is a happy one. One that unwinds the reader into a cest la vie state of mind that can be applied to any situation – it’s the same feeling customers get from the barbershop.

”All men share the same fears, but the problem is, we don’t like to talk about them,“ said Thorne. ”That’s why it’s so important to bond with other men.“

So the next time residents feel they need some direction, they can save some cash and forego the psychiatrist, spending $12 bucks on a haircut and applying a barber’s philosophy to their own life.

Thorne is also the author of An Elephant in the Living Room: Is it Too Late to Kill All the Lawyers? and has several other works in progress.