David Biedlingmaier (right) with his mother, Frances.

by Eric Dolente

Barber David Biedlingmaier sits behind the counter, eagerly awaiting his next customer to walk in. It is a pristine-looking shop, with the smell of aftershave and talc permeating the air. Scissors, clippers and brushes line up along the vanity, ready for action at a moment's notice.

Biedlingmaier is a licensed barber and owner of The Shop on The Avenue, a newly opened Mt. Airy barbershop located at 7149 Germantown Ave., directly across from McMenamin’s Tavern.

He bought the shop after the previous owner, C. Donald Murphy died of injuries he suffered in an automobile accident in August 2014 at the age of 81. He is one of the few remaining barbers left in the area, continuing the endangered tradition of no-fuss haircuts and easy conversation.

Biedlingmaier is a graduate of Upper Dublin High School and went to Temple University for two years before leaving to pursue other interests. He continued his education at Berean Institute, getting his barber’s license, as cutting hair had always been a “behind the scenes hobby” when he was in college.

While in barber school, Biedlingmaier met his future employer, Althea Vaughn, who operated the Joshal Salon in Germantown at the time, and was given a job right away.

Yet he wanted to start his own shop. He looked for something close to Joshal Salon and found Don Murphy’s old place in Mt. Airy.

One of Biedlingmaier’s major goals when he first started was “to be a part of the community instead of being just in the community,” he said.

Opening at the end of April, Biedlingmaier’s shop also acts as a beauty and hair salon, employing three other people..

It took Biedlingmaier two months to complete the store’s restoration, working 10-hour days each Sunday and Monday, while taking time off from his previous barber position. He became increasingly familiar with the area each time he visited to work on his store.

“It was difficult, but I’m proud of it,” he said.

Biedlingmaier believes that he sets himself apart from other barbers because of his devotion to the customer and array of hair-cutting abilities.

“A lot of barbers get a bad reputation for punctuality. I’m always here, I’m always on time and when I set hours I’ll always be there for those hours,” he said. “A big thing that I pride myself on is the ability to do everything. Every style, age, ethnicity, hair texture, hair color – whatever it is, it doesn’t matter. I’ll do it all.”

The store’s location is no issue for Biedlingmaier, either. He already has more interest at his current location in Mt. Airy than his previous one at Germantown.“I can see myself staying here for 20, 30, 40 years. I love it that much here already,” he said.

The Shop is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Tuesdays through Thursdays, and 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. To schedule an appointment or for further questions, call 215-242-3444.