‘Ben the Barber’ hangs his shingle in downtown Mariposa
Contributed by
Sallee Gaines
Ben Takash, aka “Ben the Barber,” was raised in Mariposa and graduated from Mariposa County High School in 2003. He became a father to his first daughter at 19. At the age of 22, he had full custody of two daughters and was trying to survive like all young parents.
“I worked at the Pizza Factory, Happy Burger, then John C. Fremont as a handyman, and anywhere just to make ends meet,” Takash explained. Then in 2008 the recession hit, and Ben, his fiancé and the girls moved to an apartment in Fresno.
“I had a motorcycle technician certification and tried getting a job at Clawson Motorsports. The automotive and housing industries were belly up. There was nothing available, but I continued to bug them until, I think, it was easier for them to hire me than to put up with me. Sometimes things just fall into place, ya know. We must learn to trust the process which wasn’t an easy lesson; for me anyway.”
Things went well for Takash at Clawson. Ben was there a total of 10 years, and he sold close to 3,000 bikes, ending up in management, married and with a baby son. “By that time, I was getting ready to move forward,” he said.
“My wife, a hairdresser, and I bought an 800 square-foot building in Oakhurst and opened a hair salon. Eventually we made two enlargements, first to 1,600 square feet, then to 32,00. We had our own line of hair and beauty products. I was still working at Clawson.” At the same time, Takash went to beauty school at Paul Mitchell in Fresno, and after 1,500 hours he was certified. “It was important to know the hair cutting and beauty business from the ground up. I was also working in our salon; it was a busy time.”
“Then the perfect storm arrived: the pandemic hit; we lost our business; I was laid off from Clawson, and my wife and I got a divorce.” Single, out of work, and trying to feed two of his three children, Ben sold his house and moved back to Mariposa in 2021. He’d had a challenging few years.
One day Ben happened to run into the owner of the Brick Wall Haberdashery, an old friend. This was the beginning of a new path. “Once again, sometimes things just happen to fall into place.”
Takash opened Ben’s Barbershop in November of last year. “I have a love of being a gentlemen’s’ barber,” he declared. This entails, but is not limited to, classic and modern cuts, and a complimentary beer or wine for his adult clientele. Soft drinks, and a neck shave are part of his practice.
A gentlemen’s barber can also serve as a source of advice and Takash believes everyone can just agree to disagree. “Communication is so key with your barber. Let’s collaborate and figure out what’s best for you. Every area has a unique hair culture; Mariposa especially, because we’re the centralized hub of the world here in the foothills of Yosemite. I need to be versatile, and I am a perpetual student.”
When walking in the shop, it’s a step back in time. His shop is totally retro, or antique, from the barber pole outside the front door to the huge old-fashioned cash register on the counter. Girls and ladies are welcome at Ben’s Barbershop. It’s child and pet friendly, and disability accessible. Web reviews show positive stars, rating a 4.9 out of a possible 5.0. The shop is just a comfortable place to be.
Walk-ins are welcome or appointments are available. “Ben the Barber” is located at 4998 5th Street, across from Castillo’s Mexican Restaurant in downtown Mariposa. For more information, or an appointment, call (559) 417-8753.
