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Robert Watkins, owner of the shop, said the new location allows the business to serve more clients and offer a better experience.

“This is just a better place for us to offer a greater customer experience,” Watkins said. “The downtown community is really growing up fast and we want to be a part of it and add a staple business to the downtown area. We’re excited to get to put our name in the pot.”

Watkins said he began his barbering career by offering haircuts to his clients in a room in the back of “Smart Phone Repair,” named the “mailroom.”

“For me, I couldn’t really get a haircut that I was happy with, so I just started cutting hair for myself,” Watkins said. “I realized that it was a big problem in the community and I sort of just fell in love with barbering and the barber shop culture. At the time, I was studying photography in school, but I quit that and joined an apprenticeship. That’s how we kind of got started.”

The Mailroom offers conventional barber and salon services, as well as ethically sourced grooming products that customers can buy online or in the shop.

Watkins said the Cashua facility will be used for full-time production of the grooming products, which the business ships to more than 23 different countries.

“We make, package and ship our products from there,” Watkins said. “I realized that the stuff I was using didn’t really meet the standards I was going for, so I started making my own products. The goal in starting the product line was to offer products to people that were ethically sourced, all-natural and good for their hair and skin.”

Watkins said the move to the downtown location has been seamless because of the business’ client base. He said the barber studio seeks to offer a welcoming environment that is free from judgment.

“It’s a really big problem in salons, typically,” Watkins said. “They can be full of gossip and judgmental attitudes, so we strictly discourage that. Our clients don’t feel like someone’s going to talk about them when they walk out the door and that’s one of the biggest parts of what we do. Our first day is going great and we look forward to continuing to grow here in this new location.”

Watkins said the best part of owning a barbershop is being able to work with his clients and encourage his staff.

“Many customers come in and they may be disappointed in their hair or they feel a lack of confidence,” Watkins said. “I enjoy being able to walk them to a place where they feel a true confidence in their appearance. That’s really where I find my fulfillment in it and I get to deeply connect in an age-old tradition. I also love getting to build up other barbers and stylists. We’ve created a tight-knit family here and I really love getting to stand under them and lift them as a staff, help them grow in their craft and have their back.”

The studio is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.

The Mailroom Barber & Studio takes clients by appointment only. Customers can schedule their appointment and buy products online at themailroombarberco.com.

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Dean Patel, the owner of the Sumter and Florence locations, said expanding to Florence was the right move for the company.

“We’ve been working on that site [in Florence] for well over a year now,” Patel said. “We’ve been trying to find a new location and we thought being in the middle of the retail district and being surrounded by residential property would be a good move for us.”

The restaurant serves an array of breakfast foods and lunch items, including eggs, sausage, bacon, breakfast sandwiches, eggs benedict, a variety of signature omelets, pancakes, waffles, French toast, burgers, a variety of sandwiches, salads and soups, wraps and other items.

Lisa Williams, Patel’s business partner, as well as the operations manager at the Sumter location and director of the Florence location, said that Florence will provide a bigger market for the restaurant.

“It was a new location that my partner researched extensively,” Williams said. “The high school and residential areas looked like a good place to start and grow from there. I really believe that Florence could have the opportunity to have two Eggs Up Grill locations before it’s all said and done because of its large market.”

Williams said Eggs Up Grill is a very popular stop down on the Grand Strand, where many Florence residents spend their summer vacations.

“When people go and vacation, they look to stop at Eggs Up Grill,” Williams said. “In a way, we’re kind of bringing those memories of the beach and vacation to the residents with them being able to have an option that they used to only have down at the beach or in Pawley’s Island.”

Patel echoed the sentiments of his business partner.

“We would search out Eggs Up Grill for breakfast when we were down at the beach,” Patel said. “The food and customer service are always great. We really believe that the quality, service and food will be well-received in Florence.”

Williams said that Eggs Up Grill will provide a “daytime restaurant” option in the midst of many evening-specialty establishments.

“It’s a really good concept,” Williams said. “People are looking for a clean establishment with quality food and good customer service. I’m positive that it will do well because there’s nothing really like it.”

Patel said the restaurant is eyeing an opening in mid-June, but it will depend on several factors.

“I’m anxious,” Patel said. “It depends on construction and permits, things like that. We’re really looking forward to being a part of the Florence location and getting this new store open.”

The restaurant will be open from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more information, visit eggsupgrill.com.

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