Meet Your New Neighbors

It was late last year that Jesus (Jess) Lopez, his wife Julia Ramirez Lopez and their three young daughters moved to Tehachapi from Norwalk, Calif. They wanted their little girls to be brought up in the safer and more secure surroundings offered by our mountain community. Over the last ten years, they had been visiting Jess' sister here and thought it was a great place for the kids. They always loved coming here.

Jess was born and raised in Long Beach, Calif., with his two sisters. His parents still reside there. Julia was born in Riverside County and moved to Long Beach when she was 11 years old. She has two sisters and a brother. Jess and Julia knew each other in Junior High and High School but didn't start going out until four years after graduation. Jess worked as a barber and Julia as a bookkeeper. Julia said she was a bookkeeper at Long Beach Airport for 16 years.

Jess said that he has cut hair at only one barbershop. It was the Silver Blade when he started 20 years ago. The owner was looking for a way to increase his business so Jess suggested that he change the name of the business so that it would appear first in the Yellow Pages. With that A Barbershop was born. Fifteen years ago, Jess bought the 50 year old shop in Long Beach. The original owner, now 89 years old, still works for him. It was only a few short weeks ago that Jess opened A Barbershop Tehachapi located at 1121 W. Valley Blvd. The Chamber of Commerce assisted with the ribbon cutting and Jess offers the same great service he offered in Long Beach. The Long Beach shop is still going strong under the management of the original owner and Jess goes down every month to collect the rent.

When I asked Jess about a hobby, his first answer was "being a dad." However, he has a collection of classic barber chairs – 11 of them. Four of his antique chairs are at his shop in Tehachapi including the one he works out of made in 1908. Although not a military man, Jess said that five times a year he cuts hair below deck on the battleship USS Iowa, which is docked and on display in Long Beach harbor. All proceeds are donated to the USS Iowa museum. Jess has done this for the last four years.

Julia has begun a small business creating beautiful seasonal wreaths. Although it started as a hobby, Julia found herself with a booth at the Stallion Springs bazaar during the Christmas holidays. She is also very busy keeping track of their three daughters. Mariah and Mcailah attend Tompkins where Mariah is part of the color guard. Marinah is in nursery school.

Jess said he has been pretty busy since opening in Tehachapi and encourages his patrons to make appointments. Welcome to Tehachapi Jess, Julia, Mariah, Mcailah, Marinah and A Barbershop.

If you have moved to Tehachapi within the last six months, Hilltop Welcoming Service has a bag of information about the Greater Tehachapi area, its activities, events, government and facilities. There are always a few coupons and gifts, as well. It is a great way to learn about your new community. Being part of this column is strictly optional. If you would like a visit from the Welcome Hostess contact our office at (661) 822-8188.