Council honors 'Al' after 50 years of splitting hairs

Galedrige

Los Altos Mayor Ron Packard, on behalf of the city council, proclaimed Tuesday “The Al’s Barber Shop Day” to honor Al Galedrige for his contributions to the community, including promoting improvements such as the Parade of Lights and the pistache tree plantings.

Galedrige came to Los Altos in 1948 and leased the Main Street Barber Shop, opened in 1923 by John Sargent. Galedrige renamed it Al’s Barber Shop, and it continued to flourish under his tonsorial tutelage. The tradition of posting photos of children having their first haircuts in the shop began in the 1950s.

The barbershop survived even the longhaired period of the Beatles. During those lean years, Galedrige operated a paving business part time, where he met his wife, Carol.

Although Galedrige sold his business and “retired” five years ago, he still cuts hair for old customers, making 2006 his 58th year in business in Los Altos.