What old time barber shop would be complete without a old time barber pole? This one was brought from Strickland’s grandfather’s original store to Plantation Plaza.

THOMASVILLE — Even in today’s androgynous society, sometimes a man just wants to be treated like a man.

Douglas Strickland is banking on that with the grand opening of his barber shop in Thomasville on Tuesday at Plantation Plaza on W. Jackson Street.

His shop is a throwback to the old days — a time when men didn’t get mani-pedis or see beauticians for haircuts.

“Northwood Barber Shop is a gentleman’s barber,” Strickland explained “We offer the steam towel and the straight razor. My shop doesn’t have the corporate feel. It’s more of a small-town feeling.”

The interior of the shop is a tip of the hat to his grandfather and father, both barbers by trade. It is decorated with the original chairs and much of the original equipment, and decor from his grandfather’s barber shop that opened in Northwood Mall in Tallahassee, Florida, in 1969.

In 2001, Donald Strickland Sr., handed the store over to his son, Donald Jr., who at one point was the youngest barber in Florida. The barber shop was relocated to Monroe Street in Tallahassee in 2002. Donald Jr. died in February, leaving the store to his son. Douglas took over the business and recently lost the lease on the Monroe Street barber shop.

Strickland said he moved to Thomasville to “start over in a town that appreciates its history.”

Strickland offers what his 86-year-old grandfather calls a “plain ol’ haircut, neat and clean.” The younger Strickland said the old style hair cuts, like the flat top and the pompadour, are making a comeback.

“The swayed back hair cuts are coming back in style. I have young men come in, asking for it,” he said.

A shave and a haircut costs more than two bits nowadays. A regular haircut cpsts $12, with a flat top running $13. A shave costs $12. Military members, emergency services personnel and law enforcement officers can get a trim for $10.

Strickland encourages men to come in and relax under a hot, steaming towel and enjoy a shave and a chat.

He said men do gossip as much as women.

“With men, it’s usually fishing stories,” he said, “and, every time the customer comes back, it seems the fish gets a little bigger.”