He is the Treasure

By Jim Taylor/Guest Columnist

July 03, 2008 11:54 am

— Fred’s Barber Shop in Tool is a local treasure.
Not only is the shop chucked full of treasure, Fred himself is a treasure.
Located off the west side of Hwy 274 in Tool (behind Ernie’s Leather Shop), the inconspicuous shop and it’s contiguous, well camouflaged space is fully stocked with memorabilia, collectible, antiques, junk, and clocks. Did I say clocks?
Over 200 clocks at last count per Freddie Burris, the owner.
What is astonishing about the clock collection is the variety of styles, from classic Swiss looking cuckoo clocks to Mickey Mouse wall clocks to highly antique clocks.
Beyond the fascination with the variety of styles is that they work.
Freddie was a professional boxer in his day, and one of the highlights of a stroll through the warren of rooms and warehouse space is hard to match collection of boxing memorabilia.
The walls and shelves are adorned with pictures of Marciano, Graziano, Ali, a bunch of Ramo’s, Moore and others that will re-kindle an old boxing fans memory.
Posters advertising Freddie’s welterweight fights all over the country make you look twice at the nimble gentlemen, and there is no doubt that it is him.
He also spent some time as a trainer, and there are photos during fights verifying the fact. For any boxing fan with gray in his temples, this spread is a must see.
Boxing publications such as Ring Magazine are numerous, and his collection of boxing reviews goes back into the 1940’s; only the first three issues of that publication are missing from the series.
There are sets of gloves that other boxing paraphernalia, much of it autographed by some very memorable competitors and personalities.
There is even an autographed picture of Jake, the workout guy on TV.
Need vinyl records or want to sell some? Freddie has roughly 2500 of them, alphabetized and categorized to some extent.
Freddie seems to buy more than sell, and you see that evidenced all over the premises in the variety of merchandise.
Old radios that approach the size of small refrigerators are plentiful and in some cases working; there are solid wood tables and chairs that just aren’t made like that anymore in enough volume to satisfy a church congregation.
Need wall art? The Louvre would be envious of the number of pictures and wall hangings, but maybe not enthralled with the lineage of the artists.
How about a pump organ for the parlor? He’s got one! Metal toy trucks and tractors plus vintage toys from many decades ago and fill another section of the collection.
The mix of merchandise in Fred’s is mind numbing and must be seen to be believed.
There must be something for everyone here. Most importantly, if you are feeling a little shaggy, get a haircut and prepare for some interesting conversation with this very intriguing gentlemen.