118-year-old Peoria Barber College remodeled, has new owner

PEORIA, Ill. (AP) - A barber college in Peoria that dates to 1897 has reopened under new ownership.

The (Peoria) Journal Star reports (https://bit.ly/1OPbCfA ) that the Peoria Barber College already has enrolled ten students to learn at its 15 available chairs. New owner Melvin Murry says he eventually hopes to have 25 students involved with the program. Murry bought the 118-year-old college from the family that owned it for more than 60 years.

Murry hired East St. Louis barber Shon Allen to be the school’s general manager and instructor. Some remodeling also was needed at the location.

Murry has big plans for the school too. He says one day he’d like to build a dormitory to help those who have to commute to the school.

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Information from: Journal Star, https://pjstar.com