BROOKHAVEN — It was a sunny day in Brookhaven with blue skies, a cool breeze and the smell of fresh cut grass. Two people had turned down to share their story for The Dart when Louis “Trey” Bailey III agreed to share his story on Union Street close to where The Dart landed.

Bailey is a native of Brookhaven but currently lives in Byram. He has made the drive to Brookhaven every day for the last 19 years taking I-55 to work at his barbershop next door to his parent’s restaurant called “Bailey’s Family Restaurant.” 

His barbershop is called “Trey’s Barber and Beauty Shop” although he spends more time cutting hair than working on beauty. Originally, his sister was a cosmetologist but had decided to get out of the business so he was able to take over the shop. 

“I’ve been cutting hair for so long. I have cut kids’ hair and now they are bringing their kids,” Bailey said. “I started cutting hair when I was in high school. I would cut my friends and nephews on from there. My roommate had a barber license. It inspired me to go ahead and get it. I was studying business but I left to do this.” 

After graduating from Brookhaven High School, Bailey went on to Hinds Community College and Jackson State. In his 19 years of cutting hair, he has been in the shop next to the restaurant on Union Street. 

He said the restaurant is being renovated right now and is not sure when it will be reopened. You might not be able to get a bite to eat but you can still get your ears lowered at the shop. It is open from 9a.m. to 5p.m. Wednesday thru Friday and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays. 

Bailey said he does not have much free time because the business keeps him pretty busy. On his days off from work, he is up at his church in Jackson and will cut hair there. 

“I just like making people look good and feel good. It was like an art when I started,” Bailey said. “It still feels like an art to me. They have hair shows you can go to and videos you can watch to hone your craft.” 

One of the reasons he has remained in Brookhaven is because of concerns over Jackson’s crime rate. He also knew people in Brookhaven. 

“When I was growing up everyone knew each other here. They were close together,” Bailey said. “You couldn’t go anywhere else. Everyone knew who you were. I never met a stranger. Now, the people you grew up with know you but because I live in Byram I don’t hang out with many new people.”