Family of barbers draws average of 100 clients daily

Reggaeton music mingles with the buzz of electric razors at Chuy & Chachi barber shop while a crowd of young men sit and wait their turn for a trim.

The meat market-turned-barber shop and beauty salon combo sees about 100 customers per day, and on a recent Friday afternoon a swarm of vehicles packed its small parking lot — some patrons even had to park across
the street.

“We know all our clients,” owner Chuy Barajas said in Spanish, waving some hello as they walked in through the back door of the business. “It’s always this full.”

The Barajas clan has run the downtown shop — named after the owner and his eldest son — for
20 years. Barajas’ three sons, Chachi, Jesse and Hector, each went to barber school in Weslaco to help run the family business along with their two cousins.

Until four years ago, the spot was open to customers seven days a week.

“It was too much,” Barajas said with a chuckle. “We had to take a break.”

Patrons walk into the business without appointments, many just showing up for a quick trim. Although employees cut and style hair for both sexes, the venue largely caters to young men.

“I come every week,” said Joe Lira, 25. “I’ve just always known them.”

Ana Ley covers law enforcement and general assignments for The Monitor. She can be reached at (956) 683-4428.