By Kara Moore
304-348-4806
Poca has a new barber.
Garry Coleman has opened Garry's Barber Shop in the space where Main Street Barber used to be along Main Street in Poca.
Coleman, a Cross Lanes resident, opened the shop about three months ago.
Coleman worked for Asbury's Hair Styling Salon on Charleston's West Side for several years before he decided to open his own shop. He chose Poca because he spent time in the community while his children, Morgan Coleman, 14, and Logan Coleman, 10, cheered and played football there.
"I thought it was a nice area," Coleman said.
He says he's the only barber in town.
Coleman, 40, became a barber only recently after, among other jobs, working at a department store for 14 years and serving in the military out of high school.
He decided to become a barber after some changes at his former job, and he said he likes the interaction of cutting hair.
"I like to talk to people," Coleman said. "I like to joke."
And he's not kidding. He has a relaxed approach to running his business and interacting with his customers.
"I could be a comedian," he said.
His famous-sounding name might give him a leg up if he ever decides to pursue comedy.
Coleman said he's heard plenty of jokes about his name.
But Coleman, with his tattoos, earrings, shaved head and beard, looks nothing like the petite "Different Strokes" actor who shares his name except for an extra "r."
Coleman said his appearance is deceiving.
"I tell my kids not to judge people by the way they look," he said.
He said people often assume he's a biker, but he isn't. His hobbies include bow hunting, snorkeling and scouting.
Coleman is an Eagle Scout - a member of the prestigious Order of the Arrow and of the Native American dance troupe Wachu Dancers - as well as a former assistant scoutmaster.
He's also a West Virginia University fan. He considered decorating his shop with WVU gear but decided to go with a hunting theme instead.
Four deer trophies hang on the walls, as well as a stuffed pheasant and a replica fish.
Coleman is promoting his new business through December by appealing to marksmen.
"Every time you get a haircut, you get entered to win a 12-gauge shotgun," Coleman said.
Garry's Barber Shop is open 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 8 a.m. to noon on Saturdays.