, 2022-11-30 17:22:00,

The Fort Barbershop in Mauldin was opened by Cidnate and Shelia Williams back in 2021. Both are veterans and have made it a point to ensure a sense of comradery continues inside the shop.It’s not only owned by veterans, but the majority of the staff are veterans as well.Manager PJ Riley served 13 years. Once Riley retired, he said he spent several months trying to figure out what to do next. His journey landed him at the Williams Barber School in Mauldin. As time progressed, Riley found his calling not only in cutting hair, but making the time with his clients an opportunity for them to vent and find extended family in the shop.”I did four tours,” Riley said. “Iraq, Afghanistan, Haiti and Africa. I was at places like Fort Eustis, Fort Jackson, Fort Carson and now I’m at The Fort.”Riley said he was a Battalion barber while serving, and cutting hair now continues to give him a sense of serving by helping the community.”I took off an army uniform and put on a Fort uniform,” Riley said. “We’re no longer serving the country per se, but we’re serving our community with these haircuts and the chance to meet different and new people. Once you come in here it’s kind of like a family bond.”Sylvia Johnson is a barber, and one of few female barbers continuing to break down barriers for women in the field. Johnson is an Airforce veteran and said being able to work alongside other veterans allows the staff to unpack any traumas or simply share relatable stories, that civilians may not be able to relate to. Johnson said the shop is also a great place for civilians to come in and find a sense of therapy while experiencing a fresh haircut.”Not everyone in here is military,” Johnson said. “It just happens to be that most of us are. So, the fact that all of us can come in here and still have that brother and sister bond and whatnot, and we have all different walks of life in here, it truly is great.”Breanna Lee is also a female barber at the shop who continues to embark on a path of setting the way for more women in the field. Lee is an army veteran.”Veterans go unnoticed a lot,” Lee said. “So, the fact that we are veterans, and we can understand each other on another level and then we give back to our community, is overall amazing.”With proof of ID, the shop also offers veteran discounts on all services.On Wednesday, a class from the Williams Barber School was in the shop for several tutorials on cutting hair and different techniques associated…

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