By CLAYTON PARK

Valentine's Barber Shop in Greenwood is a place where customers really don't seem to mind waiting in line to get their hair cut.

After all, while they're waiting they can always play a free game of pool on the pool table set up in the middle of the shop, or check out the latest hip-hop tunes in owner Thaddeus Valentine's CD collection. He even has a DJ booth set up for his customers' listening pleasure.

Valentine opened his new barbershop, at 7912 Greenwood Ave. N, in February with a party that drew more than 200 people - on Valentine's Day, of course. "It was crazy, man, you should of been here," he says.

A hand-painted sign on the window of his barbershop includes the slogan: "Keep Faded." Valentine explains that it refers to a currently popular hair-style fashion where the hair is shaved on the sides so that it fades from the top, which is kept slightly longer.

Valentine is a Greenwood Academy of Hair graduate who opened his first barber shop five years ago, in Ballard, after spending two years working for other people's salons.

Upon hearing of a barber shop that had recently closed, Valentine went over to take a look at the space, only to discover a place that had been left in shambles.

"It was a real dump. It had been run by an old man and it stunk like smoke, so I left the door open," recalls Valentine. "Suddenly some dude walked in off the street and sat in the chair! "

Valentine tried to explain that this wasn't his shop, but the elderly man insisted that he give him a haircut. Valentine reluctantly gave in to the man's demands, which resulted in one extremely satisfied customer, who insisted on paying ("I don't accept charity!" he told Valentine).

"After that, I said to myself, 'Man, I might be able to do something here," Valentine recalls.

Upon agreeing to lease the place, the 20-something Valentine quickly set out to fix up the shop more in keeping with his personal tastes. The shop became a big hit with local high school and college-age kids.

Valentine decided to move his business to Greenwood earlier this year because he wanted a location with better visibility and closer proximity to the freeway. He says he also wants to broaden his customer base. "I got the kids, but I want the kids' parents, too," he says.

Valentine's customers come from as far north as Everett and as far south as Federal Way. Many come, not only to get their hair cut, but also to hang out with the likeable, streetwise Valentine, a man with a decided hip-hop flair.

"We embrace hip-hop," says Valentine, who explains that hip-hop is "more than just the music. It's an attitude. It's a soul. It's mental. It's a culture, period. From the streets. You can either represent it in the negative or in the positive."

Valentine illustrates the latter by recalling one time when he was playing a game of pickup basketball that resulted in his being challenged to a fight by members of the opposing team. "My friend said to me: 'We can take them," but I decided, 'Nah,' and pulled out my business cards instead. I could fight them, but, man, I need the business! I gave them all business cards and said: "I'll give you free haircuts. ... All are customers of mine to this day!"

In addition to running his barbershop, Valentine is also a car-buff and a professional photographer. Customers can see some of his photos (of various low-rider cars) on display at the barbershop.