I have always wondered how
these mom/pop stores and barbershops in the community stayed abreast
with the ever changing and fluctuation of the economy. And when I
received the chance to interview Mr. Anthony Graves, I found my answer. The answer is when you care enough about your community you will make things happen.
Mr. Anthony Graves has always known since day one that he wanted to be a barber. He says “It is always something I wanted to do, because I love to create, I love people, children and the community.” He remembers when he was growing up he loved going to the barbershop and said that his barber had a big influence on him.
The place where Mr. Graves’s barbershop
resides now was once a barbershop before but was really on it’s last
leg of being closed down for good until the opportunity was presented to
him to take it over. And that’s exactly what he did; he merged his shop
with the old shop named Modernistic and re-birthed the business
entirely.
I asked how was he able to
turn around a business that was no longer thriving? He explained that
the shop needed a resurge of new energy, new customers and then a
change-up on the inside and because of that; the person who wanted to
get rid of the shop and leave for good, was now encouraged to stay as
Mr. Graves provided her with hope and a new inspiration of how things
should be, (And she is now like his grandmother). I love that! I asked
Mr. Graves what does he think the barbershop does for the community?
He responded: “it’s a
place of information for kids, family, single parents. A lot of times
for single parents that have sons they are pleased that their son’s have
a place to be. I’m really in tune with their kids. I provide them
advice, guidance as well as jobs and I’ve helped raise a lot of kids and
it’s a rewarding experience. It’s great that I can help young boys grow
to become prominent young men.” Mr. Graves says, that
he was suited to be a barber and that a barber is a corner stone of any
community. The fellow’s get together and talk on a level we’re all
familiar with like sports, politics,
advice and opinions of many things. And yes just in case you were wondering, Mr. Graves has children too! (Smile)
And I know while reading
this story what you’re wondering; his last name is Graves, so is there
is any relation? Well, we have found that we both have family in the
south and we’re going to look into it. So this is to be continued… (We
think we may be lost cousins. We’ll see!). You
can find Mr. Graves shop located at 1760 West El Segundo Boulevard,
Gardena, California 90249 and the name of it is Modernistic/Barber
Anthony G.
Mr. Anthony Graves is a
Master Mason (Executive Lodge 69) and is the Vice President of the
Executive Men’s Club that provide scholarships for students of a certain
G.P.A requirement as well as sponsor many charities. They will be
providing a Halloween Haunted House for children of the neighborhood at
5904 South Broadway, Los Angeles, California 90003. He is also an Usher
at West Los Angeles Church and has been for three years. Thank you Mr.
Graves for being a strong pillar in our community and not minding the
responsibility it takes to be a wonderful influence on our today’s
youth. California Crusaders Newspaper Salutes you! Keep up the good
work. We've got our eye on you!