December 15 , 2022 The Beacon • 13

By Jen Jones

Jay West wasn ’ t sure about opening a small neighborhood barbershop . He wasn ’ t sure about competing with chain businesses , but in early December 2019 , he opened Locals Barbershop at 1239 Chestnut St .

Two days later his son was born , so he was closed until January . Then in March they had to close because of COVID . Despite all of the early challenges , his business is thriving , and he wanted to do something to thank the community for their support .

On Sunday , Nov . 20 , Locals Barbershop held a free haircut event . They were accepting walk-ins , and though they planned to be open from 11 a . m . to 5 p . m ., it was 6:30 p . m . before they finished the last cut . About 100 free haircuts were done that day .

“ We have four full-time barbers ,” said Susan Dobbins , West ’ s mom and a barber in the shop , “ me , Jay , and then we have Rich Nash and Brandon Selders .

Emma Lepley is the Elks November Student of the Month for Coshocton . She is the daughter of Tina and Davis Higgins .

Lepley attends the Coshocton Opportunity School . She participates in Family , Career and Community Leaders of America and has helped with a variety of community projects . She has helped make dog treats for and raised money for the animal shelter and read books to kindergarteners .

After early graduation Lepley plans to take some time off . Her long-term plans

Emma Lepley

Submitted

are to graduate and then go to school to get her bachelor ’ s and become a kindergarten teacher .

We were all cutting hair that day . Jay wanted to give back to the community because it has been so good to him . He wanted to open a neighborhood barbershop and give students a chance to see what working in a real barbershop is like .

“ When we opened , we did walk-ins a lot , but after COVID , we had to switch to appointments because of the new rules . We are

accepting walk-ins again . We pride ourselves on how much we sanitize everything , and we want everyone to feel safe knowing it ’ s clean .”

Dobbins said barbershops used to be where people gathered to visit and talk about everything going on in the world .

“ That ’ s how Jay wants this shop to be — for people to just stop in and visit .

Having a family doctor – one who can help you manage your and your family ’ s overall healthcare – is important . Genesis Primary Care has two offices in Coshocton .

It ’ s great to get to know people . When they become regulars , you go through their lives with them — the good and the bad — and they become like family . Having a small shop keeps everyone close ,” Dobbins said .

Having the free haircut event was something West really wanted to do for people .

“ With the holidays coming , people are trying to get haircuts , and places are busy . It ’ s just a way for us to say thank you to everyone for supporting us ,” Dobbins said . “ This has just been a blessing since we opened .”

Locals is open Monday , Tuesday , Thursday and Friday from 9 a . m . to 6 p . m . and Saturday from 9 a . m . to 1 p . m . and closed Wednesday and Sunday .

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