I have to admit when I first heard of this story, I was pretty upset. Two African-American brothers had accomplished quite a feat. Damian and Jermaine Johnson have set up 10 successful 'No Grease' barbershop locations and even creating a barber school. Their latest conquest - securing space for another barbershop named 'Knights of the Razor' at the high-end luxury mall SouthPark.
They had just spent up to $60 -$70K to finish up fitting their space. They moved in January 2021. Mind you, one day after Black History Month, they receive a letter from mall management saying their lease would be terminated — nine months early. And from what the brothers could tell, for no apparent reason. The letter cited "Landlords right of early termination". Not cool.
My response to that:
Call A Thing A Thing
Now, if you know anything about SouthPark Mall and that area, you now it's pretty posh-posh. The neighborhood is sprawling with half million to multi-million dollar homes. Not to mention, luxury condos, apartments and upscale bars and restaurants. Let's just say when you head to SouthPark, if you don't live on that side of town you almost feel like you need to 'look' the part.
In my opinion, that goes for the stores inside SouthPark Mall. There's a certain 'look' or expectation when you shop there. With it's high-end stores, SouthPark has created an experience for shoppers. I know personally. I shop there. So it really surprised me when two Black men (with likely a number of Black male customers) were able to set up shop there.
Change Of Heart
It did not, however, surprise me to hear that welcome wagon would soon be retracted. After the Johnson's received the letter of lease termination, they took to social media. And that's all it took before SouthPark Management was ready to set up another meeting. This one, to reverse the 'early' termination. The 'Knights of the Razor' will be able to continue their 'temporary lease' through the end of the year as the original lease stated.
Meanwhile, the Johnson brothers are set to meet again with management to discuss other future opportunities. We shall see.
