In July 1986, Tom Peterson, the Portland retail sales icon, offered a free flattop haircut to anyone who attended the opening of his store at 82nd and Foster. Peterson hired three barbers to give haircuts on the floor of his showrooms. They gave about 50 haircuts the first day, and Peterson decided to make the gimmick a weekly event. He continued offering the haircuts for two decades and as of 2002 was still giving away about ten haircuts per week.

Tom Peterson's (The haircut place)

Though Peterson closed his final store just over a year ago, the tradition of the free Tom Peterson flattop haircut lives on in the hearts and minds (and on the heads?) of the Pub Quizzers at Hal’s Tavern.

Tom Peterson Haircuts (The team)

The Tom Peterson Haircuts had all they could handle with the Hal’s team Thursday, needing every bit of their Gangsta rap expertise to edge out a victory.

Ever gracious, the Hal’s crew even threw in a bit of a bonus for the hard fought victory.

Maybe they could use it as a tip for the next time they have to pay for a trim, now that their namesake has closed his doors…