Barber calls new business opening during pandemic a ‘blessing’

BOWLING GREEN Ky.- The daunting task of opening a new business in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic hasn’t slowed down the Clean Cuts Barber Shop, going from cutting the ribbon on Saturday to cutting hair on Tuesday.

Owner Byron Carpenter donned his protective face shield as he performed his craft for the community.

“It fell in my lap, and God wasn’t going to put on me anything I can’t handle. That’s why I went with it and things have been falling in place. It’s been a blessing,” Carpenter said.

As with all barber shops, Clean Cuts is following health and safety guidelines. Barbers are masked at all times, and customers are given masks if they don’t already have one.

Carpenter is joined by his partner Franco Irvin.

“I love it. Me and him partnering up, I feel like it was one of the best ideas I could’ve thought of. To start the shop and get out here, I feel like it’s a blessing,” Irvin said.

The barber shop is located near the campus of Western Kentucky University at 10 W. 12th Avenue, which Irvin said has been contributing to good business.

“We love the location as well. This is working out in God’s plan,” Irvin said.

With the chance to serve the community and a way for locals to help the local economy, Carpenter calls the experience of owning his new shop, a cut above the rest.

“My grandmother used to say, when you give someone a smile, it can make their day. Giving someone a cut and a good conversation and getting to know them. It’s really great. You realize how many people you haven’t really met in life,” Carpenter said.