MEMPHIS, Mo. (KHQA) — A very longtime northeast Missouri barber is trading his scissors and comb for golf clubs and a fishing rod.
Larry Riney, of Memphis, who just turned 84 Friday, is retiring after 65 years of cutting hair.
After graduating from Scotland County High School, Riney went to barber school in Kansas City in March 1960. He was only 18 years old at the time.
He then came back home to Memphis to do an 18-month apprenticeship under Lloyd Lancaster at Westside Barber Shop.
Riney worked there for four years before opening Larry’s Barber Shop on South Main Street in 1964.
The decision to call it quits is bittersweet for this longtime barber.
“I’m glad to be doing it, but I’m sad to be retiring too, as far as that goes,” Riney said. “I know I’m going to miss the people. I’ve enjoyed them, and they’ve been very nice to me and everything.”
Since going out on his own, Larry’s Barber Shop as has been at the same location just south of the Memphis Square.
When he first started cutting hair, Riney charged $1 per haircut. Now, he charges just $10, which is cheap by today’s standards.
His customers come from northeast Missouri, southeast Iowa and even Illinois.
Riney averaged 15 haircuts a day, sometimes less, sometimes more.
He estimates he has done over 330,000 haircuts during his 65-year career.
Saturday, July 26, 2026, will be Riney’s last day in business.
“I’ve got some other things planned I want to do and stuff,” Riney said. “I got a place I go down and drink coffee every morning. I’m still going to do that. Can’t quit everything (laughter).”
There are no other barber shops in Memphis, meaning his customers will have to travel elsewhere for a haircut.
Riney plans to spend his newfound free time golfing, fishing and traveling.
