By Don Steen ~ Staff Writer • [email protected]
Nobody likes a vacancy on Main Street. Fortunately, the former hair shop across from Hometown IGA had a pretty quick turnaround. The aptly named 508 Main Barber Shop is now open for business from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 9 a.m. to noon on Saturdays. Owner and barber David Brackett offers haircuts for $20, beard trims for $5, and head and face shaves for $25.
Brackett is no stranger to owning a small business, but his last venture was in heating and air. An accident left him unable to continue in that industry, so he decided on a career change. The shift was not without a few quirks.
“I was the oldest barber student in the history of Kentucky,” he joked.
Still, Brackett had a feel for it, particularly the personal connections one can forge in the business. He started out cutting hair in Owensboro and Henderson before a friend mentioned that Rockport needed another barber. Things moved pretty fast from there.
The former hair shop at 508 Main Street was already being remodeled and was available for sale. The location was good, right across from the grocery store and city hall, right on the sidewalk, and in the heart of Rockport. It didn’t take long to decide, and not much longer to get up and running.
“From the time I decided to do this to the time I opened it was only 10 days,” said Brackett. An inspector for the state said that’s the fastest a barber shop’s ever opened in the history of licensing.”
The bet has paid off so far. Brackett said he enjoys the small-town feel, and the people who stop by to introduce themselves. These include many former patrons of his predecessor. Charlotte Speicher even came by to visit her old hair shop and meet the new barber at the helm.
“She came by to talk to me, and wish me well,” he said. “I’ve got nothing but positive vibes.”
A barber shop is a big change from heating and air. One of the biggest changes is the ability to get to know every patron on a personal level. Hair cuts tend to come before a big event, and sometimes that context is important. Then again, sometimes weddings, funerals, graduations, and other life events come up naturally in conversation. After all, it’s hard to sit in silence for an entire trim or hair cut.
“Running a small barber shop you get to know your customers pretty well,” said Brackett. “You get to know every aspect of their life. That’s the fun part.”
New Barber on the Block: Owner/Barber David Brackett is ready to help you with all your haircut needs, offering haircuts for $20, beard trims for $5, and face shaves for $25
