Poster 1 of 100

A few Saturdays ago, poster under arm, I entered Harlen Barbershop without an appointment.

Orlando Perez, who has owned the shop at 557 Central St., Lowell, for five years, motioned for me to to take a seat. He focused on an intricate design on a young customer’s hair.

 Orlando took a quick break. Jackie, the boy's mom who grew up a block away, translated between English and Spanish. Orlando grew up in Puerto Rico. Looking at the poster, he was fascinated that over a century ago, the cozy space was a drug store. He said before he opened his shop, it was an insurance agency.

He was proud to move a large floor plant to clear a space that would not be interruped. We all laughed when my Commander wall strip failed and the poster fell without damage. A few days later, he wrote me that it held up and customers are enjoying it.

—Bernie