St. Louis Repeals Discriminatory 1940s Barbershop Law, Marking Historic Victory for Local Barbers

In a landmark decision, St. Louis barbers can now finally serve their customers beyond the traditional afternoon hours, marking the end of an eight-decade-old discriminatory regulation. The St. Louis Board of Alderman has officially repealed a controversial law that had restricted barbershop operating hours to before 6:30 PM on weekdays and prohibited service on Sundays and certain holidays.

Historical Context and Discriminatory Roots

The restrictive law, enacted in the 1940s, emerged from discriminatory practices when predominantly white union barbers sought to limit competition from Black nonunion barbers. While union members typically closed their shops early, Black barbers had historically served customers during evening hours, making the time restriction particularly targeted.

Interestingly, hair salons were exempt from these restrictions, highlighting the selective nature of the regulation. Alderwoman Shameem Clark Hubbard, a seasoned cosmetologist who championed the repeal, noted that some of the restricted holidays mentioned in the original law didn’t even exist in the modern calendar.

Broader Impact and Similar Regulations

St. Louis isn’t unique in having such regulations. Other cities, including Cleveland, still maintain similar restrictions, such as mandatory Sunday closures for barbershops. While the St. Louis law hadn’t been actively enforced for decades, advocates pushed for its official repeal to prevent any future discriminatory applications.

Jennifer McDonald from the Institute for Justice, which supported the repeal effort, emphasized the importance of preventing such discriminatory practices from recurring. The Institute’s Tom Solomon lauded the decision, stating that barbers should not face criminal charges for simply providing services at convenient times for their customers.

Following Friday’s ordinance repeal, the St. Louis mayor is expected to officially revoke the 1940s law, marking a significant step forward in eliminating discriminatory business practices and promoting equal opportunities in the local business community.