July 13, 2026 – Slinger, WI – For nearly a decade, Scott Gehring has stood behind the barber chair at The Barber Shop of Slinger, carrying on a tradition that stretches back generations. In a profession built on routine, relationships, and familiar surroundings, Gehring recently found himself facing a challenge many small business owners dread: leaving the place he thought he would work in until retirement.
Today, Gehring cuts hair from a temporary location, 201 Kettle Moraine Dr S, Slinger, WI 53086. (Enter side door of building off Buchanan Street) after his longtime building on Kettle Moraine Drive was demolished as part of Slinger’s downtown redevelopment.
In a few years, he plans to move into a new storefront in the Apex development rising in its place.
The transition has required patience, flexibility, and a willingness to embrace change—qualities Gehring believes are essential for both business owners and communities.
Following a Long Tradition
Gehring has owned The Barber Shop of Slinger for 10 years, but the business’s roots go back much further.
Before Gehring took over, legendary local barber Joe McAnack operated the shop for 41 years in the same location. Before McAnack, Richard Kappel ran the business for eight years, and before him was Frank Munn, whom Gehring believes may have been among the shop’s earliest proprietors.
That history made Gehring keenly aware of the responsibility he inherited.
“Some big footsteps to follow in,” he said.
The shop itself occupied a building more than a century old. Its traditional barber pole, two-chair setup, and small-town atmosphere connected generations of Slinger residents.
Even after becoming a one-barber operation, Gehring maintained the two-chair arrangement as a nod to the shop’s heritage.
The stories shared inside those walls often reached far beyond haircuts.
“Barbers hear everything,” Gehring said.
A Reluctant Beginning
When local developer Scott Ritger first approached Gehring about redevelopment plans that would eventually require the barber shop’s relocation, Gehring wasn’t interested.
“Initially, I wasn’t interested,” he said. “I had everything figured out. That’s what I was going to do until I couldn’t work anymore there.”
Gehring owned the building, having purchased it from McAnack, and he envisioned spending the rest of his career in the same place.
For a while, he simply hoped the project wouldn’t materialize.
“I heard because barbers hear everything,” he said. “I just hoped he was thinking about doing something, and I didn’t think it would come to anything.”
But the project moved forward, and eventually Gehring had to confront the reality that change was coming.
From Concern to Optimism
Like many longtime residents, Gehring initially viewed the redevelopment with skepticism.
At first, he focused on the potential complications—the disruption, uncertainty, and challenges that often accompany major construction projects.
Over time, however, his perspective shifted. “Now I’m excited about it because I think it’s going to be a good thing,” he said. “At first, I thought horrible, like to think of all the potential challenges that go with it. But now I’m feeling like I might have eliminated more challenge than created.”
That evolution reflects a broader conversation happening throughout Slinger as residents weigh preservation against progress.
Timelapse of Barbershop Demo (1)
The redevelopment required the removal of several aging structures, including the barber shop building. While Gehring understands the emotional attachment many people felt toward those properties, he believes communities must occasionally make difficult decisions.
“I think they’re trying to pay respect to that,” he said of the new development’s design, which incorporates colors and elements that reference historic Cream City brick architecture. “But also, you’ve got to evolve with everything as well.”
“There are some things worth holding on to, some aren’t,” Gehring said. “There was history there, but was it worth holding on to dilapidated buildings that were not bringing much value to the community anymore?”
As one of the village’s most connected business owners, Gehring has heard nearly every opinion imaginable from customers sitting in his chair.
Many residents have expressed concerns about parking and traffic patterns. Others question whether the new development fits the character of downtown Slinger.
At the same time, there is considerable optimism among residents who see opportunity in the investment.
“There’s also a large group that are excited about it,” Gehring said. “A new space, new shop, new feel.”
His own future shop will be located near the middle of the Apex complex when construction is completed, with an anticipated move-in around spring 2027.
Until then, he continues operating from a temporary location and serving the same customers he always has.
“This works great,” he said of his current arrangement.
The same barber, a new home
For Gehring, the essence of his business has never been tied to a specific building.
The barber pole, the conversations, the familiar faces, and the role the shop plays in community life will continue regardless of address.
“For me, it’s just going to be I’m doing the same thing I’ve always been doing,” he said. “But a brand-new shop.”
As Slinger grows and changes, Gehring sees his own experience as part of a larger story about balancing tradition with progress.
A Slinger High School graduate who grew up in nearby St. Lawrence, he understands why residents feel protective of their community’s character. He also believes growth requires a willingness to adapt.
His outlook remains decidedly optimistic.
“I think it’s going to be fine,” he said. “I don’t think there’s anything to be concerned about.”
The location may change. The building may be new. But Gehring expects the heart of The Barber Shop of Slinger to remain exactly where it has always been—in the relationships built one chair, one conversation, and one customer at a time.
- Overall project
- Combined 3 existing parcel, demolished 2 blighted buildings, added onsite water retention underground to help ease neighbors flooding concerns, added angled ON-street parking (first for slinger) adding to downtown parking availability
- Began demolition October 2025. Full project completion may 2027
- General unit layouts
- Townhomes
- Qty 9: 3 bedroom / 2.5 – bath / 2 car massive private garage per unit (rents starting at $2650) all 1900 sq-ft + huge garage and storage
- Townhomes
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- Apartments
- Qty: 16 – 1-bedroom / 1-bath units (rent starting at $1350) ranging from 900-1100 sq-ft
- Qty: 16 – 2 bedroom / 2-bathroom units (rent starting at $1600) ranging from 1000-1400 sq-ft
- Underground heated parking
- Elevator
- Outside balcony and large full height windows
- Included in rent 6’x12’ storage space for each unit
- 9’ ceilings, quartz tops, SS appliances, focus on energy appliances, windows, additional soundproofing between walls
- FREE Additional off street parking around the main building
- ALL FREE AMENITIES – gym, game room, community room, car wash style vacuum station, pet spa room, outdoor pet run area with artificial turf
- State-of-the-art security and all electronic access controls
- Apartments
- Project timeline:
- the 9 townhomes are scheduled to be move in ready September 1, 2026
- the 32 apartment units are scheduled to be move in ready May 1, 2027
- the barber shop grand opening in the new space will be May 1, 2027
- the open commercial space (still available) will need a signed lease by December 1, 2026 and can be built out and move in ready May 1, 2027
