The barber shop is more than just a place for haircuts.
For Tyronn Lue, the barber shop is a hub where young men can come to learn everything from life to sports, which is why it was so …
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The barber shop is more than just a place for haircuts.
For Tyronn Lue, the barber shop is a hub where young men can come to learn everything from life to sports, which is why it was so important for him to bring that experience to his hometown. On Friday morning, Lue and Tyronn Lue’s Commitment to Community cut the ribbon and celebrated the soft opening of O.G.’s Barber Shop, located at 716 E. Breckenridge St.
“The barber shop is where everything starts — sports talk, life talk — it’s everything,” Lue said. “We want to give our kids a place where they can come feel safe and enjoy more than just a haircut. It’s a community.”
O.G.’s will offer free haircuts to children and community members who cannot afford them in order to help set them up for success while also serving paying clientele. Behind the chairs will be head barbers Damon Long and DeJuan Curtis. There are plans to add cosmetology services for women as well. Lue said even if you don’t need a haircut, O.G.’s will be the spot to shoot some pool, watch a game or hang out.
LaVonda Wilson, C2C program lead, said the barber shop was inspired by the spirit of the late Gary “Rough” Jackson, owner of the former Rough’s Barber Shop in Mexico.
“Rough’s was more than a place for haircuts,” Wilson said. “It served as the heart of our community. O.G.’s will build on Rough’s legacy by being more than a place for haircuts, but an integrational place for community, mentorship and advice.”
The building itself will serve more than just barber shop clients — it will be a place that promotes career opportunities and community betterment.
Wilson said the space will one day offer certifications for various careers, including barbering, cosmetology, emergency medical technician, and commercial driver’s licenses as well as resume writing and financial literacy classes.
“If you have any ideas that you might want, as a community, to get certification in, I’m the person to call,” Wilson said.
The vision for the project started four years ago when Lue brought Steve Ballmer, owner of the Los Angeles Clippers, to Mexico for a tour. Lue said Ballmer gave him a lot of ideas and donated $3 million to the project.
“Hopefully it works out,” Lue said. “I’m gonna give it everything we’ve got to try to make it work.”
Lue said being in town and seeing his friends and family was a good experience for him, even if it was for the wrong reasons. The ribbon cutting came at an emotional time for Lue as he laid his grandmother and O.G.’s namesake Olivia Lue George to rest the day before.
But he put a positive spin on things. In addition to witnessing the barber shop ribbon cutting, Lue said his family was all together to enjoy the annual Tyronn Lue Fourth of July celebration and fireworks.
