Transcript
LADDIE SPRINGER: After 40 years, at South Crouse Avenue, Collin’s Barber and Beauty Shop has found a new home on Erie Blvd. Historically speaking, barbershops have served as cultural cohesion centers for Black people.
CHARLESTON COLLINS: Alright, what are we gonna do with this haircut buddy?
SPRINGER: Collins has served as that center while cutting hair for…a very long time. Being a four-generation Black-owned business, Operations manager and head barber Charleston Collins knows that the community cherishes his space.
COLLINS: I think it means a lot, definitely to the community. I hear from people in the community who share that with me.
SPRINGER: Longtime customers, brand new customers, and conversations on just about everything. You’ll truly see and hear it all inside of Collins Barber and beauty. Customer Greg Bell is one person who understands the significance of these kinds of spaces.
GREG BELL: Ya know, a Black-owned business, um ya know, for us, you can’t go wrong.
SPRINGER: Even though he may look like a regular customer, Bell would know, he’s been getting his haircut by Charleston for over 35 years.
BELL: Uh, I feel at home here, I feel welcome.
SPRINGER: Charleston says his business is viewed as a therapeutic space for some, it’s one where they can get off what’s on their mind, without fear of judgment.COLLINS: We have a lot of different conversations. Politics, life, sports, definitely sports.
SPRINGER: And if you talk to him, you’ll come to realize that he has some jewels, to give back to you.
COLLINS: I hear you, I hear you. Stay humble, stay humble.
SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News) — After 40 years of business on South Crouse Avenue, Collins Barber and Beauty Shop has moved locations to Erie Boulevard East. Ownership believes that location on a strip style road will bring in new customers, while maintaining a close proximity to old customers.
The shop – along with others like it – plays a key role in the community. A four-generation Black-owned business, the barbershop serves as a cultural cohesion center for the Black community. A space where anyone can go to talk about the turmoil, successes, entertainment news, or sports news of the day (along with so much more).
Charleston Collins, the operations manager and head barber, understands the importance of his shop.
“I think it means a lot, definitely to the community”, Collins said. “I hear from people in the community who share that with me”.
Customer Greg Bell is one person who understands the significance of these kinds of spaces.
“Ya know, a Black-owned business, um ya know, for us, you can’t go wrong”, Bell said.
Even though Bell may look like a regular customer, he only embodies the word “regular” in a colloquial sense. He has been getting his haircut at the shop for over 35 years. So, I guess you could say he is a “regular”.
“I feel at home here, I feel welcome”, Bell said.
Charleston says his business is viewed as a therapeutic zone for some. One where they can get off what’s on their mind without fear of judgment.
“We have a lot of different conversations,” Collins said. “Politics, life, sports, definitely sports”.
Just sitting in the shop, you will come to realize that if you speak to Charleston, or anyone for that matter, you will have plenty of wisdom given back to you.