David Laskowski opened up Ski’s 1890’s Barber Shop and Antiques in early 2019, off the corner of 8th and High. Ski has grown a loyal group of customers, including 6-year-olds, college students, and local Baldwinites. The shop is full of late 1800’s and early 1900’s items, including three 100+ year old barber chairs that show no sign of needing replacement. Ski is a “dual professional” man, having attended barber school and nursing school after graduating high school.
“I worked as an operating room nurse at the Olathe Medical Center, which is now KU med, for 30 years, and I’ve been cutting hair for 44 years,” said Ski.
In the backrooms of the shop are all his antiques for sale, there you can find paintings, grandfather clocks, Baker yearbooks from the 1800’s and a transistor radio amongst other collectables. Ski picks up most of his items from local auctions and every single one has a story connected with it. On the walls he has hung several flags including an old Lake Garnett Grand Prix flag, a Baker flag and a Benedictine flag where his son played football.
One of his hobbies now is restoring and refurnishing old wooden cabinets, tables and chifforobes which line the floor of the shop and hold many of his other finds. His favorite out of all the items within his collection is a copper plaster that he inherited from his grandfather.
“I’ve had several $1,000 offers for it but the right price will come someday” Ski said.
Like any good barber, Ski can make conversation with anyone, from young kids who get pennies out of the cash register for a gum ball, to regulars he has been seeing for years. Ski’s feels like you’re visiting your grandparents and you know you’ll hear a new story or learn something new after you go.
A young customer described it best, “every time I come in I see something new”.
