For Charlie Pratt, the cure for a bad day is often as simple as walking to the business next door for a haircut.
“It’s like therapy,” Pratt said. “I go over there, get in the chair, enjoy the camaraderie and jokes, and I just feel better.”
“Over there” is Jerry’s Barbershop in Fountain City Business Park on Tazewell Pike. Pratt is a financial adviser for Modern Woodmen of America in the same office suites.
This week, Pratt said his Modern Woodmen office selected their work neighbors for recognition for their positive impact on the community.
“This is something we do every year,” he said. “Jerry and his staff are a great business here in Fountain City, along with everything they do to support our schools in the area and other endeavors.”
Pratt and fellow financial rep, Blake Foote, had the Jerry’s staff over for a dinner catered from Salsarita’s and presented each one of them with a certificate of appreciation.
The barber shop is owned by Jerry Daugherty, who took an interesting route to land in Knoxville 25 years ago. A Chicago native, his first stop living in East Tennessee was in Elizabethton, a complete 180 from life in the Windy City.
“To call it a culture shock would be an understatement,” Daugherty said. “But a good one, it’s absolutely beautiful up there.”
After making the move to Knoxville, he worked for another shop for several years before deciding to open one on his own in 2011. Originally located in the Broad Rennoc Shopping Center on Broadway, he moved to the current location almost 5 years ago. He lives in the Gibbs community where his children attend school.
Recognized along with Daugherty were barbers/stylists Joey Sizemore, Rhonda Clift and Mandi Campbell. Steve Marriott, affectionately known as Steve-O by his workmates, wasn’t able to attend the festivities.
Sizemore said the staff really enjoy working together, and that the shop has a fun atmosphere and that Daugherty “always has the jokes. He keeps everybody laughing.”
As to Pratt’s contention that going for a haircut is like therapy, both Clift and Campbell confirmed.
“People come in and just feel comfortable telling what’s going on with them,” Campbell said. “They get to come in and relax, have some fun while they’re getting their hair done.”
Not to worry, their lips are sealed.
To learn more about Jerry’s Barbershop go here and Modern Woodmen go here.
Beth Kinnane is the community news editor for KnoxTNToday.com.