It is hard to miss the steady hum of activity inside 8th Street Barbershop on a Friday afternoon. Clippers buzz over the sound of beats, Sportscenter, and friendly chatter. Almost every chair in the shop is occupied with customers of all ages getting fresh fades, cuts, and trims for the weekend. As the shop approaches its 10-year anniversary in November, owner Jordan Walker credits its longevity to focus, hard work, and faith.

"All glory goes to God on that," Walker says. "Huntington has been a blessing. We just try to show up and be here."

Walker did not always plan on being a business owner. Originally from Wyoming County in Southern West Virginia, he was a first generation college student attending West Virginia University when he reached a crossroads. 

"I was already dabbling," Walker says. "I had started cutting my own hair in high school, and went to college and was cutting some of my roommates' hair."

Choosing barber school over a bachelor's degree was a leap of faith. After getting licensed, Walker honed his skills at a commission-based shop in the Huntington Mall in 2015 before moving downtown to the original location of 8th St. Barbershop where he worked under the previous owner. Just a few months into his stint at 8th Street, the opportunity arose to take over the reins. While owning a shop is the ultimate dream for many barbers, the timeline caught him by surprise. He stepped up to the plate anyway.

"Anytime you deal with self employment, there's definitely benefits to it, but it's like a second marriage," Walker says. "You’re married to your business and to your clients. We are here more than we’re home. It's a scary thing to step out and bet on yourself, but with risk comes reward and growth.”

The gamble paid off. Ten years later, 8th Street Barbershop boasts a loyal clientele and a full calendar of appointments. Walker averages ten to twelve haircuts a day, while the shop often clears over 150 haircuts per week. Back-to-school rushes, graduations, and holidays bring major waves of business, keeping the chairs constantly filled. In 2024, the shop moved locations, yet some of the same customers Walker met at the mall a decade ago still sit in his chair today.

“It was scary, leaving the old location,” Walker says. “We were blessed to grow and flourish in that location, but to be welcomed here in The Progress Building has been a blessing. Being a block closer to Pullman and downtown, there's a little more exposure. But I still have quite a few customers that I met at my first job up at the mall." 

Part of what makes 8th St. Barbershop stand out is its distinct interior environment, which blends traditional craftsmanship with modern design and local flavor. The walls feature unique artwork by local artist Ellen Chambers alongside pieces from various artists across the country discovered through social media. Beyond the decor, the shop prides itself on preserving the classic elements of the trade. 

“Everybody that works here is a licensed barber and is licensed to use a straight razor, which is something we pride ourselves upon,” Walker explains. "If you go to cosmetology school, you can use a straight razor for feathering and stuff, but you can't actually shave somebody."

The shop has also adapted to a changing industry. Before the pandemic, 8th Street was primarily a walk-in shop. Reopening after COVID required a shift to an online appointment-based system. Now, each barber who works in 8th Street operates as a self-employed professional, renting their space from Walker and booking their own schedules online. 

While Walker acknowledges that the modern world moves faster now, his shop still has that traditional barbershop feel when a client sits in the chair. It is an environment where people can put down their phones, slow down a bit, and engage on a personal level. That one-on-one treatment is something Walker values.

“You get to be immersed in the community every day,” Walker says. “We tend to stay very busy, and I try to be present for everyone and give my full attention.”

That personal touch can yield unique, emotional rewards. 

“You give a kid his first haircut, and it's so terrifying," Walker says. "And then, each time after that, we get to see those milestones. There’s nothing like when a kid comes in and something clicks, and he’s no longer afraid, he no longer wants Dad to hold him. He wants to get up there on his own. That's really cool.” 

“I've given first haircuts, and I've given last haircuts,” Walker adds. “It's a very personal profession."

8th Street Barbershop is located in the Progress Building in downtown Huntington at 418 8th St # B, Huntington, WV 25701. Be sure to follow them on Facebook and Instagram, and book your appointment at https://www.8thstreetbarbershop.com/.

Check out the full photo gallery from 8th Street Barbershop here!