After nearly 3 decades, Jerry’s Barber Shop makes slight change of address

For generations, folks have found their way to south Cochran Avenue to get their haircut at Jerry’s Barber Shop in downtown Charlotte. Always in the same block of South Cochran, Jerry’s has called a few different locations home over the years. The longest of which was its most recent home at 212 S. Cochran, where Jerry Hughes and his son, Mark cut hair for nearly 28 years.

On Monday, Dec. 18, Mark and his son-in-law, Rece Cox, who joined the business two years ago, welcomed customers to Jerry’s Barber Shop’s newest location, one door down, at 210 S. Cochran Avenue.

The move was necessitated by the expansion of Eaton Pub & Grille and its growing Charlotte Brewing Company business. Owners of Eaton Pub & Grille purchased the former Paul’s Gun Shop location. Jerry’s Barber Shop was situated between the Pub and the new property, so Pub owners offered to move Mark’s business one door down so they could expand their operation.

“It’s been good,” said Mark of the new location, which is set up very similar to his old shop. “We were able to reclaim some old barn wood from Paul’s, which we utilized for the trim, and made use of the exposed brick.”

The biggest difference is a bigger bathroom, wider hallways and a larger rear entrance, making the shop fully handicap accessible.

Mark is the third generation to run the family barbershop. His grandfather, Burr Pierce first opened the barbershop in 1954 on the east side of Cochran Avenue. Jerry joined the business in 1959 and bought the business from Burr in the late 60s, changing the named to Jerry’s Barber Shop.

Mark joined his father in 1987 while contemplating a career in law enforcement. The academy, however, had a one-year waiting list, which gave Mark time to attend barber school. He found he had a passion for working with people, and alongside his father.

“We always got along great,” Mark said. “I think I gained a deeper respect for the long hours he always worked.”

He said he is proud to be working alongside his son-in-law, continuing on the family tradition that was established 60 years ago.

Jerry’s Barber Shop takes walk-ins only, and is open Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to noon. For more information, call (517) 281-9291.