For the past three years Curtis Barfield operated Benny’s Beauty Supply in Beverly, but the store is set to close this weekend, in part because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I am closing the business for a couple of reasons and the pandemic is one of them. My store was damaged from the looting that took place last year,” said Barfield, co-owner of the store. “The store was also closed for three months (last year) since it was not deemed an essential business.” The shutdowns and the fear of another lockdown is the main reason he is closing.
The small, Black-owned store at 11109 S. Western Ave. has two employees. Before the COVID shut-down order there were seven, Barfield said. His business got a $10,500 federal loan from the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) to help with payroll. Barfield said he pays $2,250 per month in rent for the store and