Lakeside Barbers opens in Lake Wylie

If the name on the storefront doesn’t give it away, the toolbox equipment stations and foosball table along the back wall do. This isn’t a salon.

“We’re barbers,” said Keith Faulkenberry, who opened Lakeside Barbers in June. “That’s what we specialize in. We’re traditional, old-school barbers.”

The 470 Charlotte Highway shop has three barbers – Faulkenberry, Shanna Revels and Patricia Gittens – offering the classic steamed towels, straight razor shaves and beard trims, and one stylist, Rex Faile.

The barbers grew up in the same part of Gaston County, went to the same high school and graduated from the same Charlotte barbering school. All have close to 20 years or more in the trade. Revels owned a barber shop in Lake Wylie for several years, before selling it two years ago.

“The tradition of barbering, of barbers, is a dying art form,” Faulkenberry said. “We want to bring that back.”

The new business is neighbors to a hunting and fishing store and a martial arts gym. Lakeside Barbers bills itself as a family barbershop, not a men’s only hideaway. The foosball table sits beside an ice pop freezer where children can get a treat. Staff is experienced cutting women’s and children’s hair, too.

“If a little girl walks in here and wants her bangs cut, we’ll do it,” Revels said.

Lakeside Barbers is open Monday through Saturday and walk-ins are welcome, but has no regular hours. Faulkenberry often comes in early or late to serve someone heading out on a last-minute trip or for a special occasion.

“That’s one thing we pride ourselves in,” he said. “If you need me, I’ll be there.”

Customer and friend Patrick Currence said he found something unique in the new barber shop.

“It’s a different atmosphere. You feel at home,” he said. “I was going to a cosmetologist just to get a buzz cut.”

He also likes the small town, small business feel.

“You don’t see some hourly worker,” Currence said. “You see the owner.”

This story was originally published July 17, 2015 at 2:32 PM with the headline "Lakeside Barbers opens in Lake Wylie."