Transformation of 'sore eye' completed

While efforts have been ongoing in one part of Mount Airy to convert former textile mill facilities for new uses including a Marriott hotel, a similar endeavor nearby transformed a “sore eye” into The Chop Shop.

Local barber Jessica Cockerham recently completed a project begun nearly one year ago to turn an abandoned and dilapidated service station building into a state-of-the-art shop to ply her trade.

It opened in June, and this coming Saturday the public will get the chance to see the operation up close during a grand opening celebration.

For many years, Brannock’s Esso Service Center, later Riverside Exxon, occupied the corner of East Pine Street and Riverside Drive, where one could get a quick oil change or auto inspection.

However, it went the way of many such businesses in being closed and the building becoming neglected over the years.

Thanks to the rejuvenation launched with a groundbreaking last summer, The Chop Shop Barber & Shave now holds sway at the site.

It has breathed new life into what was described as a “distressed property” last December during a public hearing on a city rezoning change to allow its upfitting to the new barber shop.

“This woman wants to make something good out of what my mother would call a sore eye,” Joe Zalescik, a former city commissioner, said during the hearing in supporting Cockerham’s plans.

“Thanks to Ms. Cockerham for using an existing building,” Commissioner Chad Hutchens also said at that meeting.

In addition to revamping a rundown structure, The Chop Shop is providing a bit of an employment boost.

The business has five barbers, including Cockerham and her husband/co-owner Jeremiah.

Since he is a military veteran and she is a female barber in a traditionally male-dominated profession, the two bring those perspectives to the business.

It will be hosting give-back events for the community, car shows and more. “The Chop Shop is here to make a huge impact in Surry County,” Jessica pledged.

The local mom is known for her community involvement, including being active with Cub and Boy Scout groups.

The Chop Shop has similarities to an old-time barber shop including offering straight-razor shaves (one of the few businesses to do so) along with hot-towel services.

Yet it employs a modern slant, including adult customers being able to receive a complimentary beverage, beer.

The Chop Shop additionally caters to kids.

Jessica described the unique business as a “state-of-the art neo-traditional garage-themed barber shop,” which even has designated motorcycle parking.

She explained that a friend suggested the “chop shop” name, in reference to how some garages have been used over the years as places to bring in cars to be torn apart.

Celebration plans

This Saturday’s grand opening is scheduled from 6 to 8 p.m., with a ribbon cutting set for 7 p.m.

It is open to the public.

“We will have a live band,” Jessica said of Thunder Road, a local group.

Two locally based food trucks, Rub and Grub and The Spotted Cow, also are to be on the scene.

There will be door prizes, tours of the building and opportunities to meet the staff.

Jessica believes she effectively beat the odds in maneuvering through all the crooks and turns of the renovation, but is pleased with the end result.

As a posting on its Facebook page states, “The Chop Shop is definitely no Floyd’s, but we are absolutely the heart and soul of Mayberry when you walk through those doors.”