By Fletcher Word
The Truth Editor
The vast Liddell family, some from out of town, gathered on Thursday morning, August 13, at the corner of Junction and Indiana, to witness the renaming of that section of Junction Street. The honor went to Lee and Vernon Lidell, who, now with Vernon, Jr., have successively owned and operated Lidell’s Barber Shop for the past 76 years.
Lee Floyd Liddell, Sr., a World War II veteran and a Tuskegee Airman, opened Liddell’s Barber shop in 1950 on Dorr Street, later moving it to its present location at 921 Junction. His nephew, Vernon Wayne Lidell, Sr., succeeded his uncle and kept that tradition going.
“We are here to thank the Liddells for staying in this community and the service they provided and continue to provide,” said Toledo City Councilwoman as she opened the street renaming ceremony.
“This is a great day for Toledo,” said Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz during his remarks as he spoke of how Lee Lidell was as consumed by his desire to better the community as he was by any desire to profit from the business. “He was as much about community as anything else.”
Councilman John Hoobs, III, a master barber himself, spoke of the impact the Lidells had on him during his youth. “This what community meant – both Liddells gave away many, many haircuts to people in need.”
Alicia Smith, director of the Junction Coalition, began interacting with Vernon Lidell when she was 14 years old. He encouraged her to stay in Toledo, to work for the community and eventually to start the Coalition. “Are you taking care of the community?” he would ask her.
Beverly Liddell-Smith, daughter of Lee Lidell and the founder of the bookstore that was once next to the barbershop, spoke of the love and support shown her father and uncle and also read a letter from her older sister, Janice, who lives now in Atlanta and could not make it back home for the ceremony.
The businesses, wrote Janice, “became part of the life – the spirit – of the community.”
Vernon Liddell Jr., son of Vernon Liddell and owner of the barbershop since 2024, shared that sentiment.
“I feel great, I know what my uncle and my dad put into the community. It’s a beautiful thing.”
