2006, I retired to Pensacola from Ocenside California (Camp Pendleton). For 17 years I got great haircuts. One small city block there are 12 military style barbershops. I was used to getting great Military/Civilian haircuts----you guys know (hot lather,straight razors, hot towels- a guy type experience). I attempted several Barber Shops as most of us guys (no beauty shop-hair washing crap. Well at that time the Five Flags Barbershop was located on Navy Blvd, just before the NAS bridge front gate. Gary was the proprietor and ran a tight ship. There were 12 busy chairs and Gary a Retired Navy guy kept it all in order. He eventually had a landlord dispute and moved back to his original small 6 chair shop tucked away on Barrancas (current location) just a block off of Navy Boulevard to the east. Gary had planned to retire w/his Phillipino wife in late 2016, at which time she could retire as well and he could also draw a Social Security income too. He n his wife had bought property adjoining her family in the Philippines. BOTTOM LINE 8 months before he retired he sold his Barber Shop to a female he had recently hired at that time. She gave me a bad vibe to tell the truth.
I had to go out of town for 4 months, when returning I rushed to get one of my last haircuts from Gary. When I arrived, I asked if Gary was off that day? I was told he was off all week. Each time I went by for weeks I was told, (he had to run out, you just missed him, sorry honey he's not in today, and so forth). Finally I came in and waited for Greg, ( one of the last Barbers from Gary's original staff), I asked quietly if I could get Gary's phone number so I could see him before he left the country? He told me quietly that Gary had left the country the week before. I really got pissed off at that rude new owner. She had deliberately lied to me!
Since that time she's surrounded her self by rude women barbers. Haircuts aren't nearly as good either. She's been unusually rude to me and many other clients over and over.........it's a sad day for Gary's many many loyal clients. :-(
I'm currently using a Hispanic woman in Greg's old space at the far right as you come in the front door. She gives a fairly decent haircut. She's extremely nice to and not rude. And yes they eventually chased Greg off as well. And of course she lied about where he had gone and very evasive about any info about him insinuating he'd gotten involved in drugs and abruptly left town for Phidelphia. Now if this Hispanic woman leaves I will probably start looking at other barbers again. Just not the famous FiveFlags Barber Shop of old, as it's been ruined by this route group of cackling women. I am certainly not chauvinistic and love women . These women take a dry sense of humor to another level of being rude to the point of turning people out the door.
What's really funny is that they've now put up a number machine for you to pull number when you go through the door. WOW, when Gary had the large barbershop he never failed to know who was next. Maybe dyslexia has settled, I have no idea.
If anyone finds a better barbershop please post it here on yelp, thank you! Bill j. read more
