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Everybody's Business

Longtime barber makes final cut

Antonio Castellano retires after cutting hair for 35 years in Tampa, the last 20 at the International Barbershop.

By MICHAEL CANNING
Published July 1, 2005

Antonio Castellano, the final caretaker of a longtime South Tampa barbershop, hung up his scissors for good last Saturday.

The 67-year-old native of Italy is retiring after cutting hair in Tampa for 35 years. He spent the past two decades at the International Barbershop at 3705 Henderson Blvd.

His retirement marks the end of a barbershop that had its roots in the old International Inn Hotel, formerly at Kennedy and West Shore boulevards.

Castellano, who was born in Sicily and grew up in Bologna, moved to Tampa in 1967. In 1969 he started cutting hair in the Britton Plaza Barbershop and about a year later moved to the Northgate Barbershop in North Tampa. Ten years later, he went to work at Vic's Barbershop at Armenia and Sligh avenues.

He worked there for two years before buying the International Inn Barbershop in 1985. By then, the shop had moved to Henderson Boulevard and was closed.

Castellano trimmed the "Inn" from the name and went on to become one of South Tampa's most popular barbers. Judges, lawyers, media executives and other local notables were among his regulars.

Castellano, who lives with his wife, Josephine, in North Bon Air, plans to spend more time fishing and hunting.

ASIAN CHEF BOUNCED: Asian Chef, one of the few restaurants that managed to carve out a modest lunch business on a still desolate stretch of downtown's N Franklin Street, closed last month and was evicted June 14.

Building co-owner Victor Leon, who owns Ho Ho Chinese restaurant on Howard Avenue, said the business had been late with rent payments since last year.

Leon said the space at 912 N Franklin St. is under contract with a new prospective tenant but declined to give details.

BANK COMING TO DALE MABRY: The Bank of St. Petersburg will open its third Tampa location in the new retail center at Dale Mabry Highway and Watrous Avenue.

Bank senior vice president Steve Stagg said the 1,900-square-foot branch should open in September or October. It will have three tellers, two personal bankers, a manager and an outdoor ATM. It will offer a range of loan and mortgage services.

The branch will occupy part of the plaza where a Western Auto once stood. GrillSmith restaurant, based in Clearwater, is slated to take some of the space. Hancock Fabrics already has opened.

Founded in 1985, the Bank of St. Petersburg has branches in downtown Tampa and on Himes Avenue across from Raymond James Stadium. It has three others in St. Petersburg.

Do you know something that should be everybody's business? Call 226-3382, or e-mail mikecanning@hotmail.com

[Last modified June 30, 2005, 09:09:07]