Henry's Barber Keeping Half a Century of Tradition Alive in Wrentham

Diane Green has been working at Henry’s Barber in Wrentham for over 12 years, and says she’s always tried to keep the tradition of the shop true.

Henry’s was named for the shop’s first owner, Henry Colletto, who had worked the shop for over 50 years. The shop is now 63 years-old, and has been a staple of the Wrentham town center.

Colletto was known for his love of sports and was an avid collector of memorabilia. Green kept his tradition alive in the shop.

“The first thing I saw when I came in was the Red Sox clock,” she said.

Green started as an office worker in various positions, secretary, administrative assistant, etc., but she said the only thing keeping her there was the steady paycheck. When the company decided to move to North Carolina, she decided not to.

“I was going to be a dislocated worker,” she said. “I went to barber school and it was one of the best choices I ever made. I hated it, but i was good at it so I always had a good paycheck.”

Green said she started working at a barber shop in Medway for three years and then worked in Worcester for six years. In 2000, she made the move to Henry’s.

“When I first came here in 2000 of September, I was looking for something and I saw his address in the phonebook and called him up,” she said. “I loved the barbershop and he was just an incredibly sweet man.”

Green said the best part of her job is the conversations. She said her customer base is completely male, in the tradition of the shop, and she has become a confidant, of sorts, to many of her customers.

"They get that they can confide in you,” she said. “They’re like your best friend because what happens in the barber shop stays in the barber shop, it’s a good thing.”

Green added that while she wants to keep the spirit of the shop alive and she truly enjoys the work, she doesn’t know if she’ll beat Colletto’s record.

“I’m here till I’m done, God knows when that’ll be,” she said. “It’ll be before 80 like Henry, though.”