M&M Barbers, a South End barbershop that opened in 1947 and served the community for 60 years, will be closing at the end of January. The shop's owner, Kelly "Mac" McLean, welcomed all and taught his patrons and staff important life lessons through his work. While the barbershop closing is difficult for many longtime customers and staff, they find comfort knowing McLean achieved his goal of helping the surrounding area become a more diverse community.

1. DINA RUDICK/GLOBE STAFF
Arnita Cooper stood outside M&M Barbers as one of her patrons left the shop. The South End business will close on Jan. 31.
South End shop closing after 60 years
º BARBERSHOP
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whose perpetrators avoided
McLean’s door.
‘‘Word gets around; you just do
not come in here and act the way
you want to act,’’ Cooper said.
Once, a drunk man leaving a
neighboring club entered M&M
and asked for a conk, a chemically
straightened hairstyle then popu-
lar among African-American men.
Jerry McLean said his father
taught the man to behave respon-
sibly in his shop.
‘‘He left that heat chemical in
his hair a little longer than it
should,’’ said
‘This is McLean, 57.
JODI HILTON FOR THE BOSTON GLOBE
‘‘Not only did Kelly ‘‘Mac’’ McLean (above, left) opened M&M in the South End in 1947. His son, Jerry (above,
not just a he quiet down; right) said, the shop ‘‘has survived with its character, morals, and integrity.’’
barber- it drew the
alcohol out of lessly to support a growing family. Georgia Coleman, 68, will begin booth, which hasn’t been used
shop; it’s him where he ‘‘I wish Arnita could keep that working at Hair Focus, three since he died — they say the
was almost [shop], because my life started ov- blocks away on Harrison Avenue. mementos will survive after the
a com- sober when he er there,’’ said Ngo, who operates Jones, their 56-year-old cus- shop closes.
munity came out.’’
Urban
Triple J’s in Fields Corner. ‘‘Mac
really gave my family new life. I
tomer, said he will follow them
there because he believes in the
‘‘We are closing but hopefully
the same spirit that has been here
center.’ renewal forced looked at him as my pa.’’ barbershop. ‘‘I wish we could still at M&M will transfer itself to the
Mayor Kelly McLean When Ngo opened, McLean keep some of the old stuff in place, other place,’’ Cooper said.
Thomas to move M&M gave him a split-leaf philoden- but I guess if you don’t know, you Although it has been difficult
M. Menino to Washington dron, the vines of which have can’t appreciate it,’’ he said. for Cooper and others to accept
Street, where grown to encircle a portion of the Cooper and Jones remembered that the shop will close, Jerry
the shop has ceiling in Ngo’s shop. ‘‘His spirit is McLean, a devout Christian, as a McLean takes solace in knowing
stayed for roughly 30 years. There, always with us here,’’ he said. deacon at Twelfth Baptist Church that his father said he wanted to
Cooper and others shadowed M&M Barbers buzzed with in Roxbury who could offer a Bible see the South End-Lower Roxbury
McLean and learned the barber- activity Saturday as clients came verse particular to an individual’s area become a more diverse com-
ing business. for their regular roller set or trim. situation. Despite the subtle re- munity. ‘‘That’s what’s happening
Howie Ngo, who emigrated ‘‘This is not just a barbershop; minders of his memory — a 3-foot- here,’’ McLean said. ‘‘His dream
from Vietnam in 1979, credits it’s a community center,’’ said tall trophy recognizing his com- came to pass.’’
McLean with helping him open Mayor Thomas M. Menino, who mitment to a national barbering
his barbershop 15 years ago and stopped by to bid farewell. association, a sofa where he coun- April Simpson can be reached at
with teaching him to work tire- Cooper and fellow barber seled family and friends, and his asimpson@globe.com.