QC Hidden History: Joe's Barber Shop

It started with a young man from Rock Island trying to find his way.

50 years later, Joe’s Barber Shop stands in Davenport as a place of comfort and refuge for many people both young and old.

He’s spent half-a-century making a difference in the lives of many in the Quad Cities. 

It’s part of our continuing coverage of Quad Cities Hidden History.

His name? Joe the Barber.

And he’s celebrating a special anniversary.

Joe McLemore first started his business in 1968 — that’s after he tried his hand at factory work.

“I’ve been on the street, Harrison Street in Davenport. This is my 50th year,” McLemore said. “I had worked at Deere and Company for 3 years and 4 months. I didn’t like it very well, I didn’t very much like the idea of being greasy. But during that time, I was pretty young.”

And Joe says during that time, African-Americans were limited in the jobs they could take — and factory work was one of few choices they had.

“The qualifications weren’t that steep, but the money was good,” McLemore said. 

But Joe wanted more for himself. That’s when he decided to try his hand at barber school.

“I went to Davenport Barber College, and that’s where I stayed,” McLemore said. “I got down there in about 1966, finished my 1800 hours, and here I am 50 years later.”

Here he sits, as the owner of Joe’s Barber Shop.

A little place in Davenport that gives back to its patrons in more ways than one.

“I’d like to think that I can stand behind this chair and say something to someone, just good information, something that’s positive, and they carry it with them,” McLemore said.

And it’s those positive messages that Joe passes along, that he hopes will make a difference in this community.

“I try to tell them, anything is possible,” McLemore said. “All you have to do is get up and look in the mirror in the morning, and tell yourself what you’re going to do. And, do it. And while you’re doing it, put your best foot forward. If you put your best foot forward, there’s no such thing as failure.

“There was a lot of them that would listen, and learn,” McLemore said. “Some of them come back years later, I don’t remember some of them, but some of them I do. But, hey. I’m always congratulating. If I thought I could make a difference for everybody in this world, I’d do it.” 

But until then, Joe the Barber sits on Harrison Street, just like he did 50 years ago, offering advice and guidance to anyone who needs it.

“All we have to do is be positive role models, and above all, practice what you preach,” McLemore said. “If you’re going to get up and go to work every day and do this, make sure this young man, he’ll see it. And he’ll know what you’re doing.”

Joe was born into a family with 18 siblings. He says his upbringing showed him how important it is to have a good work ethic.