Longtime Hoffman barber dies; fate of village institution in question

Barber­­ Jim Gerz didn't care if you were a village bigshot or Joe Sixpack.

"He was fair to everyone. He was a great equalizer," said Hoffman Estates Trustee Cary Collins.

Gerz kept men well groomed for 33 years at Barrington Square Barber Shop, a Hoffman Estates institution. His customers included Collins and Hoffman Estates Mayor William McLeod. Former South Barrington Village President Warren Fuller also was a regular. In all, Gerz had more than 600 clients.

And they not only loved their haircuts but the conversation and camaraderie Gerz fostered. McLeod likened Gerz to Floyd the barber from the old "Andy Griffith Show." Collins conjured up images of TV's "Cheers," where everyone knows your name.

"It wasn't just a barbershop. It was a place where guys hung out and talked," said daughter Jennifer Gerz.

James C. Gerz, of Barrington, died Sept. 30 from colon cancer. He was 65. The Chicago native is remembered as a dedicated husband and father with a friendly demeanor. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus. His daughter said he was a bit of a jokester who was never afraid of being himself.

"He took care of me, he took care of us," said Sandy Gerz, his wife of 38 years.

Jim Gerz started a summer tradition in Hoffman Estates, coming up with the idea for Classic Car Night at Barrington Square Mall. It allowed car aficionados to show off chrome wheels and refurbished engines.

Gerz cheered for the Bears and White Sox, and one of his hobbies was building model airplanes. Once, he took a bicycle trip of more than 450 miles to Sharpsville, Penn.

But with his passing, questions have arisen about the future of the barbershop. Sandy Gerz wants to sell it, saying she has a buyer lined up. But barber Michael Specht says he has a letter from Gerz handing over the barbershop to him.

The Gerz family hired Specht to run the barbershop while illness kept Jim Gerz away over the last six months. As per instructions from Gerz, Specht has given 25 percent of his profits during that period to Sandy Gerz. Specht said he also paid all the shop's bills during that time.

Sandy Gerz wants to reassure clients that the barbershop isn't in danger of closing.

Both sides confirm that Sandy Gerz asked Specht for $10,000 for the shop. The two sides have retained lawyers, meaning the matter might be resolved in court.

Specht met Gerz in 2004 at a car show. Specht said he realizes the difficult situation and that he'd continue the tradition of service Gerz began.

"I don't want to go through the mudslinging with a grieving widow," Specht said.

In addition to his wife and daughter, Gerz's survivors include son Brian and mother Cecelia.