The Mount Pleasant location of Barrelli Barber shop is currently closed after a truck crashed through its storefront, causing significant damage. Despite the setback, the owners, led by Peter Evans, are determined to rebuild and reopen as soon as possible. This unfortunate incident has sparked an outpouring of support from the community, and the owners are hopeful that the business will be back in operation soon, just in time for the busy back-to-school season.
The Incident and Damage
Peter Evans, who opened Barrelli Barber in 2017, describes the damage as severe. The truck drove directly into the building, causing extensive destruction. “The truck was literally, completely in the building,” Evans said. According to police, the driver did not appear to have applied the brakes before hitting the shop, instead colliding with a brick planter outside and pushing the equipment inside about 30 feet. Bricks from the storefront were scattered across the area, and the back door was found around 60 feet away from the point of impact.
Fortunately, the incident occurred outside of business hours, meaning no one was inside the shop at the time. If the crash had happened while staff or customers were present, the consequences could have been far more tragic. The driver, who was cited for driving under suspension, suffered non-life-threatening injuries.
Community Support
Despite the significant damage, Evans has been heartened by the overwhelming support from the local community. Messages from customers, neighbors, and fellow business owners have flooded in, lifting his spirits during this challenging time. “Literally, just the community has been great. It’s been so really uplifting,” Evans shared.
In the face of the destruction, Evans is choosing to stay positive, focusing on the opportunity to refresh the shop while dealing with the clean-up and insurance process. He mentioned plans for possible upgrades, such as fresh paint and other changes to improve the space once it’s rebuilt.
Plans to Reopen
Evans is determined to get the shop back in business as soon as possible. With the back-to-school season fast approaching, he’s hoping to reopen in just a few weeks. “We take care of a lot of back-to-school haircuts, so our goal is really, maybe not next week, but I’d like to be open the following weekend,” Evans said.
While the Mount Pleasant location is temporarily out of service, Barrelli Barber customers can visit one of the other three locations in Downtown Charleston, Park Circle, or Summerville, where staff and services have been relocated during the rebuild.
Though the crash was a devastating setback for Barrelli Barber in Mount Pleasant, the business is determined to rebuild and reopen with the support of the community behind it. Peter Evans and his team remain optimistic about the future, focusing on the positive and looking forward to serving customers again soon. With the ongoing clean-up and a fresh outlook for the shop, Barrelli Barber is set to return stronger than ever.
