New โคMural Celebrates Historic Ideal Barbershop in Austin
AUSTIN, TX – November 24, 2025 – A vibrant new mural now adorns the exterior of โฃIdeal Barbershop, Austin’sโข oldest continuously operatingโ Black-owned barbershop, honoring โits legacy andโ enduring role in theโ city’s cultural fabric. Unveiled this week, the artwork depicts scenes of community โandโค connection, reflecting the โshop’s decades-long โฃhistory as a gathering place and โขcornerstone of Eastโฃ Austin.
Founded in 1947 by Cornell Hillโข Sr., Ideal Barbershop has remained a vital hub for generations, providingโ haircuts and conversation to a diverse clientele. The mural’s completion arrives at a pivotal moment,as Austin grapples with rapid development and displacement,and seeks to preserve its โคhistorical landmarks and cultural heritage. The โขartwork serves as a powerful visual reminder of the contributions of Black-owned businesses and the importance of maintaining spaces thatโ foster community.
The barbershop, โคcurrently co-owned and โoperated โขby Cornell โHill, carries โon the tradition of welcoming all. Hill still uses tools giftedโฃ byโฃ his grandfather, including the โoriginal clippersโ and razor, symbols of aโฃ legacy built on skill and inclusivity.
“I’m open to anybody who wantsโฃ to come in [for a] cut – straight hair,Afro hair,” Hill saeid. “Because hair is hair. โฆ We’re one nation โunder god,meaning weโข need to learnโค to deal with all walks of life – in โขhairโค textures and hairstyles.”
Located on East 12th Street, Ideal Barbershop has โwitnessed and weathered significant changes in Austin, remaining โคa constant presence โคthroughout the city’s โฃevolution. The mural, commissioned by aโข local arts institution, aims to ensure the shop’s storyโ continues to be told for years to come.
