What’s next for this Charlotte barbershop chain

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — No Grease! barbershops reopened at 5 p.m. May 22, when Gov. Roy Cooper allowed some businesses to reopen after being ordered closed for weeks because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

But while most barbers and staff have since come back to work, in staggered shifts, the future remains pretty uncertain for the Charlotte-based business.

“If I was a gambling man, I would say we’re going to need more assistance moving forward, just to get through,” said Damian Johnson, who co-founded No Grease! with his twin brother, Jermaine, 23 years ago.

The Johnson brothers are among millions of entrepreneurs across the country who have secured Paycheck Protection Program loans as government mandates were issued to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus.

Why one local barbershop owner says reopening plays a key role in the community Why one local barbershop owner says reopening plays a key role in the community

With the U.S. unemployment rate now above 13%, the PPP — though fraught with issues, especially at launch — became a lifeline for business owners who couldn’t afford to keep their staff on payroll with little to no revenue coming in.

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