Samuel and Sons begins reconstruction


By Belinda Dunn

Sam Jenkins of Samuel & Sons Barbershop has been working hard and is now ready to rebuild his shop. (Staff photo by Belinda Dunn)

NCCU Staff Writer
the Durham VOICE
thedurhamvoice@gmail.com

After months of hard work and organizing, Samuel and Sons Babershop will start its reconstruction on April 26.

Sam Jenkins, owner, has been out of his shop since Jan. 2, after an electrical fire damaged his Angier Avenue barbershop.

Jenkins has struggled to get the rebuilding started because of insurance delays. “It’s a rough road, the more you know about business, the more you know about politics,” said Jenkins. “And about delays, you find that a lot of things are said and not done.”

In the meantime, Jenkins has been working at another neighborhood barbershop located within a block from his old shop. “The community is like Sam hurry up!” said Jenkins.

Even with setbacks, Jenkins has stayed true to the community. “I’ve donated over $5,000 worth of merchandise to Trosa,” said Jenkins. “They got several clothes, barber chairs and hair care products for men and women.”

Sam is not the only one eager for him to reconstruct the shop. “I’m ready for Sam to get back into his shop,” said Jamaal Mouabid. “I’m really in need of a haircut.”

“I’m ready to see how Sam’s shop is going to look,” said Joe Bushfan, owner of Joe’s Diner.

Jenkins estimates that construction will take through August and he anticipates being back in the shop by then.

“People loved to go to Sam’s barbershop,” said Mouabid. “It was the place to be.”

“I just do what I do because I don’t know what else to do I just want to give back,” said Jenkins. “That’s what barbers do… enhance you, not just your hair, but your mind to make you a better person.”