New barber shop opens in downtown Fulton

James Pittman of Fulton gives a haircut and a shave to his first customer, Stacy Chiles of Fulton, at Pittman's new business, JP's Barber Shop, at 612 Court St. in downtown Fulton.
James Pittman of Fulton gives a haircut and a shave to his first customer, Stacy Chiles of Fulton, at Pittman's new business, JP's Barber Shop, at 612 Court St. in downtown Fulton.

James Pittman of Fulton has opened a new business, JP's Barber Shop, at 612 Court St. in downtown Fulton.

"Fulton has not had a barber shop that caters to black clients. I have been driving to Jefferson City and Columbia to work as a barber. But since there was no black barber in Fulton, I decided to open a barber shop in Fulton," Pittman said.

A 1991 graduate of Fulton High School, Pittman eventually decided he wanted to be a barber and attended Leonard's Barber College in St. Louis in 2007 and 2008. After graduating, he received a barber's license in 2008.

He then started to work at TJs Barber Shop in Jefferson City and worked there for two and one-half years. He then worked at Pro Cuts Barber Shop in Columbia for more than a year.

Recently, he decided he would open a shop in Fulton that caters to black clients.

"There's more black kids attending Westminster College and William Woods University. So that adds to my potential customers," Pittman said.

Pittman specializes in all types of cuts. He also offers hot lather shaves with a straight razor as well as razor lining.

To help the tornado-stricken people of Dumas and surroundings, donations can be made to the Delta Area Disaster Relief Fund, care of the Delta Area Community Foundation, P.O. Box 894, Dumas, AR, 71639, or through the Arkansas Community Foundation, 700 S. Rock St., Little Rock, AR, 72202.