Lionel's Barber Shop marks 60 years

Family, friends and area leaders threw a celebration Saturday for Lionel Martinez and his Lionel's Barber Shop's 60 years in downtown Tucumcari, but he wasn't even the longest-serving barber in the building that day.

That would be Norman Smith, 91, of Smitty's Barber Shop a few blocks over, who has been cutting hair for 68 years.

Smith and Martinez, though technically business rivals, laughed and swapped stories.

Smith dropped himself into part-time status in barbering a few years ago. Martinez has been full-time behind the barber's chair for virtually all of those 60 years.

Don't expect Martinez, 83, to hang up his scissors anytime soon, either.

"I'll die before I retire," Martinez said.

Pointing to Smith, he added: "This is another guy who'll die before he retires. We've seen a lot of history."

The only interruption to Martinez's duties, other than an occasional illness, was a three-month mandated break during the COVID-19 pandemic.

"It was rougher than hell, yeah," he said.

Martinez, a Tucumcari native, spent a four-year stint in the Army before returning home. He earned his diploma from West Texas Barber College on Aug. 8, 1963.

Two days later, he was employed as a barber at Mitchell's Barber Shop on Second Street in downtown Tucumcari, which housed Joe's Shoe Shine.

"I didn't waste no time," he said.

He married his wife, Clara, a short time later.

Martinez later moved to his current location at 107 W. Center St. in 1990. The site of Mitchell's Barber Shop now serves as a marijuana dispensary.

His shop almost serves as a museum to early Tucumcari, with early photographs of the town (including one of Martinez in his early days), rusty license plates and even a wooden shingle from Mitchell's Barber Shop.

Martinez's daughter, Susan Sandoval, organized the 60th anniversary celebration.

"He's worked hard," she said. "He's worked really hard."

Amid cookies, muffins and New Mexico music playing, Martinez cut a celebratory ribbon.

Tucumcari MainStreet director Connie Loveland also presented the first of seven of the organization's Legacy Business awards, given to those in downtown that have operated for 50 years or more.