He attributes his store's popularity to three factors.

"Reliability, good service and low prices," says Papalimberis. "If you have these, you will succeed in any business."

"Customer service is also very important to us," he adds. "All of my employees are trained my way, and I teach them to treat the customers well."

Papalimberis says that he is also able to provide his customers with their favorite barbers.

"Our store has a friendly atmosphere," says Papalimberis, who has had some barbers working with him for over eight years. "The barbers are all good friends."

La Flamme's commitment to service and low prices has attracted some well-known regulars.

"Michael Dukakis has been my customer for the past 19 years. He has followed me to every store that I have owned," says Papalimberis, who has framed photographs of Dukakis in a barber chair to back up his claim.

Papalimberis was even invited to the 1992 Inaugural Ball even though he has never laid hands on the president's locks.

"When he was elected, Clinton took with him to Washington many of the administrators at the Kennedy School who were some of my best customers," says Papalimberis, who chose not to attend because he had already finalized his vacation plans.

"Inviting me to the inauguration was the least they could do," he says.

Papalimberis counts among his customers countless Harvard students, Cambridge residents and "too many Harvard professors to count."

"I've cut the hair of Alan Simpson, the former Wyoming senator, and of Harvard officials like the Provost Al Carnesale," says Papalimberis. "I knew that he was leaving Harvard for UCLA before anyone else."

But he is just as happy cutting hair that is not so famous.

"The students are especially interesting," he says. "You see the little guys come in as freshmen. Four years later they come back right before commencement and they're ready to face the world."