Comments on: then/now on Brook Road

By: M. Watkins, Jr.

M. Watkins, Jr. — Sun, 13 Jan 2008 02:23:16 +0000

I am the oldest son of M. J. Watkins, who owned the Barber Shop and Beauty Parlor. It was not a Beauty supply. I shined shoes there and took saxaphone and clarinet lessons in the basement. I was cutting hair and shaving customers by the time that I was 11 years old. My two younger brothers were also barbers in my father’s shop.

By: Charles Selden

Charles Selden — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 19:59:29 +0000

Just to clarify, I own the building and it is a separate structure from the Emrick Flats. It’s date of construction is listed as 1912, prior to the construction of the Emrick building in the early 1920′s. It was built as two seperate buildings. Mr. Watkins who’s father owned it proir to Mr. Harrison claimed that the corner lot had a pool hall on it that burned down shortly after it was built.

By: Chip

Chip — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 22:16:22 +0000

The Daily Planet was looking at a location on the west side of Brook Rd. around where “The Ranch” restaurant is. Roughly, Brook and School Sts. That was circa ’93/’94.

By: john_m

john_m — Sun, 25 Nov 2007 22:25:13 +0000

Where were they looking, do you remember?

By: Scott Burger

Scott Burger — Sun, 25 Nov 2007 22:23:15 +0000

Speaking of then/now on Brook, remember when the Daily Planet homeless program wanted to move to Brook?

By: john_m

john_m — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 21:45:20 +0000

Look at the building wrapping around — windows have been punched back in, as part of the conversion to condos. And, as Sara points out, the cornice has been removed from the section on the right. The Watkins Barber & Beauty Supply sign has faded appreciably. Not a dramatic change, but it is interesting to see what 20 years brings.

By: Ross

Ross — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 21:36:57 +0000

Soooo it’s exactly the same?

By: sarah

sarah — Sun, 11 Nov 2007 03:51:02 +0000

that is a great picture of the building with it’s cornice… i haven’t seen that one.