His shop is on a block where new businesses mix with old. “I don’t have the means to feed people, but you know, I can assist by haircuts and providing the atmosphere.”Įfferson moved his shop to Bruce Randolph two years ago from nearby Colorado Boulevard where he leased for eight years before being pushed out by rising rent. “You know, what (Randolph) started, just giving back and assisting wit the means that he did have - feeding people, possibly housing people, and also just being that community anchor … a patriarch of this community, to identify or be connected to any of that is cool,” Efferson says. But Randolph’s soul is palpable here at the barbershop and down the street at the bus stop where, a day earlier, men delivered hot meals to people sitting on an RTD bench. It’s cliché to frame Bruce Randolph the street in the image of Bruce Randolph the man - who was all about humanity and giving. And that’s what Bruce Randolph represents - friendliness.” “When you walk outside, you know, you feel like you’re at home, you know what I’m saying? Nobody don’t be bothering nobody, everybody speaks … everybody friendly. “Even with all this COVID stuff going around, you know, it’s not going to stop people from being friendly to one another,” says Riggs. Riggs’ mom grew up nearby on Filmore Street. “My granny, she’s been here since forever,” he says.
Trae Riggs, Efferson’s friend and fellow barber, proudly grew up around Bruce Randolph. “They may not be politically active, but this is a place where they can talk about frustration or even cross-check and say, ‘How you doing with all this?'” “It’s a safe place for people of color to vocalize,” Efferson says. “None of us are psychologists … but we might play a part in helping mental health problems.”Įxclusive Cuts is a warm place where customers from the neighborhood talk about who bought a Cadillac and what’s going on locally and nationally, whether it’s the changing neighborhood or the civil rights movement for Black justice. “Besides a barbershop, I can’t tell you any place in America where that’s the atmosphere, that’s the vibe. “People don’t have enough places to vent - with men and men of color having a place to vocalize and talk about the things that are bothering them and not be looked or frowned upon,” Efferson says. Soul music blasts through speakers just above conversation level, and conversation runs rampant here.
Despite the name, the barbershop is anything but unwelcoming. We’re inside Exclusive Cuts Barbershop, the business Efferson owns and runs on Bruce Randolph Avenue. “That stings, boy!” jumps the older man in the chair. Patrick Efferson deftly glides a trimmer across a customer’s beard, finishing a clean-looking shape-up - the kind that leaves you wondering if it’s possible for hair to hug a head any closer. Read what people in Lenoir are saying about their experience with Mandem Syndicate Barbershop at 818 Harper Ave - hours, phone number, address and map. Every day during Street Week, we’re rolling out mini profiles of the everyday heroes they found. Editor’s note: Kevin and Dave roamed Bruce Randolph Avenue and talked to most everyone they saw.
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