NEWS

Ron Raeford and Raeford’s Barber Shop are anticipating a big day in the life of their business. On October 4, the shop will celebrate its 25^th anniversary.

In 1993, James Raeford proudly opened the doors of his barber shop in its current location on Main Street in Davidson, with two experienced barbers by his side, Joe McLean and Kenneth Norton. Prior to that, James honed his barbering talent at Ralph Johnson’s barber shop. In 1975, he left to sell cars, but he returned to barbering in the late 70s, working at the Potts Barber Shop in Cornelius.

Russell Knox, who owned the Davidson property at the time, let James know that the space was available and encouraged him to start his own business. James knew he was ready, and he seized the opportunity, building the business into the well-known and well-loved shop that it has been for a quarter of a century.

James’ son, Ron Raeford, joined his father at Raeford’s in 1998. Before that, Ron worked for a pharmaceutical company in Charlotte, never dreaming that he would join his father’s business. Then, he realized that he had an opportunity to keep the family business going and to do good work at the same time. James opened a new shop in Cornelius in 2003 and turned the Davidson shop over to Ron. Business was booming, with both Raeford’s locations serving people from North Mecklenburg and surrounding counties. People even drove over from Lincolnton and Concord to get a Raeford’s cut.

James retired in the mid-2000s, closing the shop in Cornelius, knowing that Raeford’s lived on in Davidson.

Ron is grateful to his father, mother, brother, extended family, and friends for their support through the years. He said, “It’s one thing to cut hair and make people look and feel good, but it’s the relationships and getting to know people that make this such a special place. I get to know families, cutting their kids’ hair and seeing them grow up and then bringing in children of their own. I know whole families and I know this community. It’s the best decision I could ever have made when I joined my father’s business. We also have the fun of cutting all types of hair, for men, women, and children. We do it all.”

If he ever wrote a book, he would title it, “Cutting from a Different Cloth.” He has worked with different generations and styles come and go, but the relationships endure. Mr. Norton and Mr. McLean even stayed for a number of years when Ron took over the shop, and now Ron has three full time master barbers, Thomas Marsh, Quentin Feagins, and Tim White, who have worked with him for years and who all stay busy. As Ron said, “Without these three fine men, Raeford’s would not be the success it is.”

Ron and his wife have two sons and two daughters, all grown, and seven grandchildren.Their children live in Davidson, Mooresville, Durham, and Concord. “One of my daughters has followed in the family business and is a hairstylist with her own shop, called Raeford’s Salon 326.”

Ron plans on being at Raeford’s for many years to years to come. He is happy that the new landlord, Brad Remmey, has told him that Raeford’s can stay there as long as he likes. “I hope to take Raeford’s on even further into the future.

“It is a blessing that my dad made a good name for himself and the shop in this community and beyond – all over the east coast really. There are not many family-owned barber shops left now, and I am so happy to be in one. We would not have made it this long without the support of my family and of our loyal customers. We appreciate them more than we can say.”

It makes Ron proud to hear other people’s stories, connecting to one another, and caring about each other, all in his welcoming and friendly barber shop on Main Street in Davidson. Maybe one day, he will even write that book!