Mineral Wells Area News

By Reece Tincher

Special Intern to Mineral Wells Area News

In the heart of downtown Mineral Wells, just a cut and snip away from the Baker Hotel stands an old-school, iconic barber shop. Adorned with a customary red, white and blue pole, Coy’s Barber Shop has been a staple in Mineral Wells since 1984.

It’s not uncommon to see multiple generations waiting for Coy Harris inside his tiny shop to get a chance for his 80-year-old hands to lower their ears. He has been cutting hair in Mineral Wells for more than four decades, building a clientele that feels much like family.

Clients often bring books and other kinds gifts for Coy who has spent more than forty years establishing his business after first cutting hair in Vietnam where he was serving in the United States Army. Harris said one secret to his success is learning to change with the times.

“It’s not a 40-hour-a-week job,” Harris said. “You either like it or you don’t. When I went into Vietnam it was shorter haircuts, when I came back that’s when the longer hair came in. It’s phased itself out, and now there’s another change.”

Even before he opened up Coy’s, the building served as a barber shop since the 1960s, a tradition Harris continued.

For Coy, who sometimes does five haircuts an hour, people are the most rewarding part of his job.

Decorating the walls of the shop is a collection of toy cars from an old hobby he once had as well as many awards the seasoned barber has won throughout his career.

“I had the privilege in the middle 70s of being Barber of the Year in the State of Texas,” he said. “I felt that was a real accomplishment.”

In 2024 however, Coy decided to shake things up a bit and brought a new face into the shop.

Last January, Harris began working with local stylist Cruz Velasquez as a partner. He had a completely different clientele from his years as a stylist who he gathered in various salon chains and eventually brought with him to Coy’s. Cruz spent years building relationships with clients cutting hair for men, women and children who often had to wait weeks to get an appointment.

Cruz’s journey to Coy’s was a long term goal he finally made happen.

“When I was across the street about five years ago hanging out with some friends, they were talking about Coy having this place for a long time,” Velasquez said. “In my brain, I was like, if only I could work here. So, five years later here I am.”

Cruz said he brings Coy breakfast every Tuesday and Wednesday, the two helping and learning from each other. The two work from Monday to Saturday, with Coy coming in early to open up the shop and take any walk-ins. The two men will see 20-25 customers on a good day.

“The most rewarding thing is being able to work next somebody that’s had outstanding ovation awards,” Velasquez said. “And being able to be a part of Mineral Wells, I’m from here so I want to be a part of it. I love my town.”

Long before Coy opened up his own shop, the building stood as a barber shop and the two plan to keep it that way.

In the heart of downtown, that old barber pole sits on display allowing anybody that walks or drives past to see the work of Coy and Cruz. There is no indication that the 80-year-old barber will hang his clippers up anytime soon and newcomer Cruz Velasquez seems to have found his groove in Coy’s old shop. The plan is to keep it that same way for many more years to come.

Coy’s is located at 102 W Hubbard St and is open Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm and 9am to 12pm on Saturday.