Mandy Shemon is continuing a Tower tradition, but with a new twist. The young woman has reopened a barber shop in Tower, renting out the space that formerly housed Jack's Barber Shop.

Shemon doesn't really see her career choice as non-traditional. Sure, she was usually the only woman in her barber class at the Minneapolis Technical College, but that didn't ever seem to matter.

"I like cutting, not the chemical stuff," she said. Barber school was mostly hands-on work. "They just let us cut hair," she said. They also received instruction on shaving, and some color and perm work.

"I guess I just enjoy the company of men," she said, "they're always pleasant and in a good mood." Shemon said she enjoys hearing her customers bantering back and forth while waiting for their turn.

Shemon grew up in Ely and graduated from the Ely High School. She is now living at Eagles Nest with her new puppy, a chocolate lab named Moose. Prior to opening her own shop, she worked at Joe's Barber Shop at the Thunderbird Mall in Virginia.

Judging from the business that walked in the door Tuesday, her first day open, Shemon will keep busy. She had a steady stream of folks in and out, including several customers she knew from Virginia who were glad they didn't have to make the drive to get their monthly haircut.

Shemon was pleasantly surprised at how busy she was on her opening day. "I thought I'd have to sit and wait," she said. Shemon said she has had her eye on the spot for a while, and when she heard it was for rent, she jumped at the chance to open her own business. The best part, she said, is the south-facing windows, a pleasant change from the windowless mall setting.

While the shop space looks familiar, Shemon has installed a new barber chair and is waiting for a new sink to come in.

"It's so nice to see the tradition of a barber shop back in Tower," said Barb Tibbetts, who operates the Beauty Nook next door. Tibbetts said the barber shop will mean more business for her. She said she's already scheduled appointments for women whose husbands are planning to come in for a visit to the barber shop.

"I can't wait for Jack Yernatich to come back and see his space open again," she said. Yernatich operated Jack's Barber Shop in Tower for many years. As for Shemon's barbering skills, Tibbetts said one customer came in to have her inspect his flat cut, something that Tibbetts couldn't do for him while the barber shop was closed down. "It was a true flat top," Tibbetts said, "she did a good job."

Shemon's shop, the Northwoods Barber Shop is open Tuesdays through Fridays from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. She does haircuts and beard trims and offers a senior discount. The shop doesn't take appointments, walk-ins only.