Historic barbershop embraces and celebrates service

PHOTO | MELVIN HARRIS JR.

Gordon’s Barbershop, whose history dates to 1935 when Charlotte segregated Black people by law and custom, has survived Jim Crow, recessions and gentrification of its Cherry neighborhood.

The owner of one of Charlotte’s oldest barbershops has never held a pair of clippers.

Michael Gordon, owner of Gordon’s Barbershop in the Cherry neighborhood, celebrates his 32nd year on June 26. The shop, located at 601 Baldwin Ave., opened in 1935 by Clemon Morris. While most local businesses during that time have long closed, the shop has withstood recessions, a pandemic and gentrification.

“At the end of the day, I'll be honest with you, how I lasted 32 years, it was God,” said Gordon, who also owns an automotive shop. “It’s been some bumps in the road, twists, and life changing events but for some reason God kept this barbershop going. It kept going and kept it being an annual part of our family legacy.”

Gordon helped launch the careers of numerous young Black entrepreneurs and barbers, including the founders of No Grease, Damian and Jermaine Johnson.

Despite not being savvy with clippers, Gordon made an impact on  barbers trying to get their start. One piece of advice he gives is to not forget where they came from and be themselves.

“I tell them to stay true to yourself. Don’t deviate and keep your company small,” he said. “If you can count five people on your hand, you did good,” Gordon said.

Gordon, a Philadelphia native, got the name of the barbershop not because of himself but because of his grandfather, Mancel Gordon, whose dog tags from World War II he wears around his neck as a daily reminder.  

The shop’s tonsorial history precedes Morrison during an era of racial segregation by law and custom.  

“Mr. Pfeiffer and Uncle George used to be their barbershop,” longtime Cherry resident Dorris Dennis, 79, said, “but before it used to be a dance hall, a place for Girl Scouts to meet, a beauty shop and a little eating place and I worked there,” he said.  

Dennis grew up in Cherry and still lives in the historic neighborhood. Dennis used to work at the restaurant conjoined with the barbershop when she was younger, which is now Queen City Wings.

The barbershop was more than just a spot for haircuts. It was a restaurant and club conjoined and a very hot spot when it came to socializing in the Black community.  

So, what’s next?

The answer lies in the hands of Gordon’s son, Damu, and Peter McGnin. Damu knows with new times comes new ways of running a business so one of the first actions he would like to take is adding a new barber.

“We are the oldest barbershop in Charlotte, and we represent good material, and we bring good haircuts. We just want to continue to make a good name for ourselves for now and the future,” the younger Gordon said.  

As for McGinn, being a positive influence in his community tops his list.

“The work that I do, might extend beyond the barber chair and some form of education or community type of work,” he said.

“Not so much to focus on the financial aspect, just being able to work with somebody kind of with what is affordable for them. I would never want somebody to feel like they couldn't come to me because it's out of their price range.”

McGinn recently became a part of the team at Gordon’s and has already made an impact. He said he’s learned a lot from the Gordons and good work continues.  

McGinn, although his experience with cutting hair in Syracuse, New York, gives the edge to Damu when it comes to haircuts. However, when it comes to indoor mini basketball, McGinn has Damu beat more often than not.

Michael Gordon said his biggest reward from bringing this business forward was seeing the development and growth of his son and seeing him take charge of where the barbershop is headed.  

“Seeing him grow and seeing him stay. Even when we had trials and tribulations, to see him hold up,” the elder Gordon said.  

This article corrects the spelling of Peter McGinn and Doris Dennis' names.

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