A single dad who wanted to be closer to family and enjoy more time off with his son recently opened ‘Gentleman’s Cut Barbershop’ in Paris amid the pandemic craziness.
Previously working in the oil fields, Gentlemen’s Cut Barbershop owner and operator JD Harris and his 9-year-old son moved from “a small town just north of Abilene,” Hamlin, Texas; a population of about 2,100.
“My dad and stepmom moved here about four years ago, and my son wanted to be closer to them,” Harris said. “I used to work in the oil field for about 10 years. When my son was about to start school, and as a single dad, I wanted to do something to be home with him more.”
As soon as he got to Paris about a month ago, Harris found the building he’s in now and began remodeling.
Prior to leaving the oil field, Harris said he thought of good ways to make a living and be home at night instead of chasing oil.
“I remember my old barber back home would always tell me, ‘there’s good money in the business.’ I think he raised a family of six on it. Plus, you’re really kept in the loop on most things – town wise, current event, and other stuff,” Harris said. “Worse comes to worst, I can always fall back on a career I’ve had for almost 10 years of my life.”
Harris said there’s always going to be a need for barbershops because people will consistently need a haircut.
“It really depends on what you specialize in,” he said. “I do more traditional cuts – older school. I don’t really do designs, but I can do just about any haircut.”
Opening shop two weeks ago, Harris said business has been “slow, but good.”
“It’s expected, really,” he said. “I knew business would start out kinda slow, but people have started to hear about the place. I’m sure with PJC starting up – right across the street – I’ll start getting busier.”
Harris said it’s a challenge to cut his son’s hair, because “little kids’ blonde hair is always a challenge. It’s so fine, and hard to blend, but always turns out good.”
As for the effects the current pandemic has had on his business, or opening in Paris, Harris said it’s hard to say whether his business has been affected.
“Starting out, it’s going to be slow,” he said. “Back home, it never really affected the business. Opening up took a little while back home to get going, and it’s a small town – everybody knows everybody. That’s what they say here, but this is a city compared to what I’m used to.”
At this time, Harris said business is run as walk-in only but plans to expand on the idea of appointments.
Gentlemen’s Cut Barbershop is at 2439 Clarksville St. in Paris.
