Building two consists of two units. Unit 1 was used previously as small restaurant and still has a stainless/ metal lined kitchen area in back with large operating vent a hood system that is currently not used but could be converted back into a restaurant area rather easily. This area is being used currently as a boutique. This unit has two bathrooms up front and a 3rd bathroom in the back along with a separate closet. Quite a bit of storage. This unit has a back door access to the loft and the Barber Shop areas adjacent. Unit 2 is currently being utilized as a Barber Shop. A/C has new motor inside, and outside unit has had new compressor and fan motor and blades replaced all within last 8 months with some remodel on front half of building upon leasing. There is an approx. 3,000 sq. ft. loft above both units with 2 separate stairwells. This area has had electrical, plumbing updated along with A/C. This unit also has three nice big skylights installed. Great downtown views.
History: In 1921 this was 34 Bonham Street with a stairwell to 34 1/2 Bonham upstairs. The J.E. Ausmus Royal Barber Shop & his Southwestern Life Insurance Company were on the street level, while Leonard W. Dennis-Thomas F. Rice Clothing Company was upstairs. In 1959 the addresses were 116 & 120 Bonham, with the barber & beauty shop still in the former and Tropic Restaurant in the latter. Lloyd T. Herron owned the barber shop, and Elsie Roddy managed the restaurant. Epps Hill probably owned the building.
This obit for John Frances gives the history of ownership of Royal Barber Shop:
Francis, John W. 167574
Birth: 08/08/1892 Death: 01/18/1965 Marriage: Twice
Cemetery: Evergreen (G-13NW-02)
Record Source: The Paris News
Update info
Notes
THE PARIS NEWS, 18 Jan 1965: ‘John W. Francis, 72, a barber here 45 years, who lived at 121 3rd NW, died at 5:20 a.m. Monday at Lamar Medical Center, where he was admitted for treatment during the night. He had owned and operated the Royal Barber Shop, which he bought in 1924 from E.R. Ausmus, until its sale in 1951 to Lloyd Herron. Mr. Francis having worked for him since then. He was born in Arkadelphia, Ark., 8 Aug 1892, son of John W. and Mary (Evans) Francis, the family moving to Biardstown community, Paris, Rt. 3, when Mr. Francis was a child. He returned here after service in World War I, and began work as a barber. He was a member of First Methodist Church and of the American Legion. His first marriage was to Mrs. Sally Burch, and after she died, he married the former Mrs. Lera Lowe, her death occurring in 1958. Surviving are these brothers: Ed Francis, Beaumont, Calif.; Larkin Francis, Compton, Calif.; and T.A. Francis, Paris, besides these stepchildren: Martin Burch, Larry Burch and Mrs. Marie Butler, all of Paris, and Mrs. Louis Trapp and H.M. (Buddy) Lowe, both of Terrell. The funeral will be held here in Fry and Gibbs chapel, and interment made in Evergreen Cemetery.’On the same stone with Sally Ann Francis. Tombstone is inscribed, ‘Texas Pvt. CO.1, 64th Infantry, 7th Division, WW I.’
War Notes Rank
World War I
