Cut-Ology looks to upgrade styles in east Albany

ALBANY – A year and a half after its opening, the east Albany One Leaf Shopping Center is still blooming, with the grand opening this week of a barber shop. And a shoe store opening is right around the corner.

Barber Carlos Davis, who owns a chain of Cut-Ology salons in Atlanta and Albany, said he was initially hesitant, but has come onboard to open the new location at 1629 Clark Ave. as well as work with One Leaf owner Jaymin Patel to open other locations around southwest Georgia.

“I heard nothing positive about the east side,” Davis, an Atlanta native, said. “When Jay approached me, I was a little apprehensive. At the end of the day, people deserve respect and a good haircut. I can’t change everybody’s perception about what they think (about) the east side, I just want to do my part.”

On Thursday, the community celebrated the opening of the latest Cut-Ology Barber Shop & Spa, which has been open for about two weeks, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony hosted by the Albany Area Chamber of Commerce.

Davis started his career as a kid, giving his first cut to a cousin who stood 7 feet tall.

“I started in barber shop work when I was 10 years old,” he said. “I had to stand on a milk crate. My first barber shop came from renting one from the guy that taught me how. I have opened 20 barber shops.

“I met a lady down here. I decided to move down here. God has blessed me to do well in this area.”

The next opening for Cut-Ology is slated in two weeks at the Food Lion shopping center on North Slappey Boulevard. Davis said he and Patel plan to open new locations in Cairo, Moultrie and Thomasville.

The Clark Avenue location is at about half staff with five employees so far and eventually will have 10 barbers to handle the 10 stations. In all, Cut-Ology employs about 30 in Albany.

Patel’s father, Paul, operated the store across the street from One Leaf for many years, Patel said, and was known to generations who grew up in the area.

“You can ask anybody around here who’s 20 ‘Did you know this guy when you were 2 years old?” he said. “They’ll say, ‘Yes, that’s Paul.’ He knew everybody. Dad wanted to give back to the community.”

One Leaf was Patel’s concept of giving people a one-stop place for customers to take care of multiple shopping needs. It represents a $4 million investment and includes a convenience store and Elements coffee shop.

“Originally, when we started the project, it was supposed to be as many businesses as possible to save customers time,” Patel said. “Now we have a barber shop. This (next door) is going to be a shoe store. Hopefully, it will be open in a month.

“We have a lot of people wanting to lease here. I’m trying to make sure they’ll be something that benefits the community. Our goal is always foot traffic. That’s the reason people come here.”

The last barber shop to open in east Albany was about 20 years ago, and that business has since moved to west of the Flint River, Ward I City Commissioner Jon Howard said. He encouraged residents in the area to do business with home-grown businesses like those at One Leaf.

“Try them out,” Howard said. “I’m going to do it next month. Seventy percent of what a mom-and-pop shop earns stays here in the community. For chain stores, 80% goes out of the community.

“It’s so important that residents in the east side patronize these businesses, and that will spur economic growth. And spread the word. There’s some problems in east Albany that need to be improved, but citizens need to get involved.”

Staff Photo: Alan MauldinAlanMauldin[email protected]
Staff Photo: Alan MauldinAlanMauldin[email protected]