You get more than just a haircut from this Cherry neighborhood barbershop
CHARLOTTE (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — “Welcome to Gordon’s young man. I haven’t seen you around here.”
On most days, the door at Gordon’s Barber Shop is propped open. It’s an unofficial welcome sign for those looking for a haircut or conversation. The barber chair turns into a podium for commentary on music, sports, and life.
“So, if you want to change this world, have joy. Stop fitting in with the sorrow and give joy,” said Michael Gordon.
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Michael runs the barber shop in the Cherry neighborhood in Charlotte. He’s had it for 33 years. But the pole out front is stamped with the year the shop opened up- 1935.
“That’s one that finally hit me where I was,” said Michael. “Y’all can imagine in 1935, things were far different than they are today.”
Some have faded with time, others are new and bright, but the pictures and paintings on the barbershop wall honor all those who came before and those whose stories are just beginning.
“My grandfather and them paid mighty dues back then, they paid a mighty price. They weren’t allowed to talk like I’m talking, but I’m talking now grandad,” said Michael.
The barber shop is the heart of the historic African American neighborhood. It was back then and still is today, and it will be tomorrow and all the days to come.
“I just want to say, I’m blessed,” said Damu Gordon.
Michae’s son, Damu, has the corner chair. He’s been the main barber since about 1994. He’s only ever worked for his dad at Gordon’s.
“I just want the legacy for my children to live on, so they’ll be sitting here telling the story year after year,” said Michael.
Though he runs the shop, Michael doesn’t cut hair.
“No,” laughed his son Salim. “Well, he tried and I was the guinea pig.”
“No, no, no,” laughed Damu.
Michael doesn’t need clippers to carry on.
“This is when your history is being told, it’s right here and the walls are talking right now,” said Michael.
The conversations over haircuts aren’t just barber shop talk, but rather important snippets and stories of those who come in and out of Gordon’s.
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