Just days before they celebrate their 11th wedding anniversary, Dowagiac’s Pat and Ravan Bakeman reached another milestone moment in their lives, a venture almost as old as their marriage.

Monday marked the official 10-year anniversary since the opening of their downtown barbershop, Bakeman Barbers. The couple opened their business, located at the corner of Front and Division streets, on Aug. 24, 2005, inside the confines of the former Bear’s Den barbershop.

“There were some who thought we weren’t going to make it six months, but here we are, 10 years later,” Pat said, while trimming the hair of the gentleman sitting in the seat in front of him.

Even after sinking nearly all their money into the business over a decade ago, the Bakemans never really considered how long the barbershop would stay open, Pat said. Instead they focused on another goal: do not fail.

“We were going to do whatever we could do to make this work,” he said.

A native of Dowagiac, Pat attended barber’s college in Lansing after graduating from Dowagiac Union High School in 1998. Pat had been interested in becoming a barber from an early age, often volunteering to cut the hair of his friends and family — and even practiced on his own locks on occasion, he said.

Shortly after graduating barber’s school, Pat was offered a job at a barbershop located in the Detroit suburb of Northville, where he worked for six years, before he and Ravan made the choice to move to Dowagiac, he said.

The chance to cut, shave, and trim hair for the community where he was born and raised wasn’t just a lucky break he experienced along the way during his 16 years and counting long career as barber, Pat said.

“My plan was to always come back here,” Pat said. “It just took me longer than I thought.”

Purchasing the Bear’s Den from owners Barry and Linda Gardner, Ravan and Pat’s parents spent many late nights renovating the space while Pat finished up his commitments with his old employer.

The owners have made further improvements to the building over the last 10 years as well, including recently finishing a new paintjob for the barbershop’s exterior.

Despite the changes to the appearance of the place, Pat and his two other barbers, Wanda Price and Lennie Slack, have maintained the same attitude toward serving every one of their customers with respect, giving them the haircut they desire every time they walk through the door.

“If you’re not happy, we’re not going to be happy,” Pat said.

When asked on his thoughts about reaching his first decade in business, Pat said he is thankful for all the support he, his barbers and his family have received over the last 10 years.

“People don’t have to come here, and yet they do,” he said. “I’m grateful for their support these last 10 years, because this is how I make my living.”

The business is running a special deal for customers on Wednesday, offering $10 haircuts for all customers.