PEORIA MAGAZINE April 2023

MOM AND POP

THE CUTTING EDGE Lightning-fast haircuts and friendly conversation are barber Jim Hartter’s specialties

BY STEVE STEIN PHOTOS BY RON JOHNSON

J im Hartter’s customers come from all walks of life. They include doctors and lawyers, basketball coaches including Bradley University’s Brian Wardle and Metamora High’s Danny Grieves and many of their players, lawmen including Peoria County Sheriff Chris Watkins and his predecessor Brian Asbell, and media personalities such as Greg Batton of WMBD radio’s

“Greg and Dan Show.” Occasionally a homeless person finds his way to Hartter’s place and climbs into the chair. Hartter is a barber. He owns Jim’s Barbershop at 4311 N. Sheridan Road in Peoria and The Garage Barbershop at his home at 708 Devon Drive in Germantown Hills. It’s walk-in only at the Peoria shop, appointments-only at home.

Hartter is legendary for his speed, his work ethic and, most importantly, his welcome mat. He’s your friendly neighborhood bartender with clippers. “I ask everyone what’s new when they come in and they start talking,” Hartter said. “They tell me about good things like weddings and pregnancies. And they talk to me when things aren’t going so well. “Relationships are what it’s all about in my business, and I’m blessed. I would

18 APRIL 2023 PEORIA MAGAZINE