Business Spotlight: Midtown Barber

More Than a Haircut, A Place to Belong

When people walk through the doors of Midtown Barbershop in downtown Elkin, they're coming for a haircut. But according to owner Sly Best, that's rarely all they leave with.

The shop is lively, welcoming, and full of conversation. Topics can range from sports and family life to current events and community happenings. It's the kind of place where strangers become friends, generations of families sit side by side, and everyone feels comfortable pulling up a chair.

"Come as you are," Sly says. "Everybody is welcome."

That philosophy has helped make Midtown Barbershop a staple in downtown Elkin and earned Sly recognition as one of the area's favorite barbers. But his story, and the impact he's had on the community, reaches far beyond the barber chair.

A New Beginning in Elkin

Originally from Goldsboro, North Carolina, Sly's path to Elkin wasn't a straightforward one.

After spending years building skills, earning his barber's license and business degree, and working toward a better future, he eventually found himself searching for the right place to put down roots. Elkin stood out because of its central location and welcoming community.

For Sly, opening Midtown Barbershop wasn't just starting a business. It was a fresh start.

"It was my new beginning," he says. "It's been nothing but love." 

That support from the community helped Midtown Barbershop grow into the vibrant gathering place it is today.

The Heart of the Shop

Long before he owned a barbershop, Sly was cutting hair for neighborhood kids.

What started as a skill became a calling. Today, Midtown Barbershop serves customers of all ages, and many families have been visiting for multiple generations.

The atmosphere is what keeps people coming back.

Sly describes the shop much like the classic movie Barbershop: a place filled with laughter, storytelling, friendly debates, and meaningful conversations. Kids feel comfortable there. Adults stop in to catch up. Even spouses often tag along just to enjoy the company and conversation.

"It's never a dull moment," Sly says. 

For many customers, Midtown Barbershop is more than a business. It's a safe space.

People celebrate victories there, talk through challenges, and find encouragement when they need it most. Sly often jokes that he provides a few therapy sessions alongside every haircut, but the truth is that listening and supporting others has always been an important part of what he does. 

Building Community Through Connection

Sly believes one of the greatest gifts of owning a barbershop is the opportunity to connect with people from all walks of life.

Every customer brings a different perspective, different experiences, and different stories. Those conversations have reinforced something he sees every day behind the chair: people may come from different backgrounds, but many of their struggles, hopes, and dreams are surprisingly similar.

That belief in connection has also inspired one of his most visible contributions to the community.

Several years ago, Sly recognized an opportunity to create an event that would celebrate diversity while bringing people together. He helped establish Elkin's Juneteenth Festival with a simple goal: creating a welcoming space where everyone feels included. 

A Festival for Everyone

Now celebrating its sixth year, the Juneteenth Festival has grown from a small gathering into one of the area's most anticipated community events.

For Sly, the festival has never been about drawing lines between people. It's about bringing them together.

Music plays a major role in that mission. Festival attendees can enjoy everything from gospel and Motown to country, rock, and R&B. Food vendors serve a wide range of dishes, and family-friendly activities create opportunities for people of all ages to connect.

Whether someone comes for the live music, the food, the dancing, or simply the atmosphere, the goal remains the same: unity.

"Juneteenth is for everyone," Sly says. "It's about bringing people together." 

Attendance has grown from a few hundred visitors in the early years to thousands today, reflecting the community's embrace of the event and its message.

Looking Ahead

When asked what excites him most about Elkin's future, Sly doesn't talk about buildings, businesses, or growth statistics.

He talks about people.

He sees a community that continues to welcome newcomers, celebrate differences, and support one another. He believes that spirit is what makes Elkin special and what will continue to move it forward.

His hope is simple: that people continue finding ways to connect, support one another, and build a stronger community together.

After all, that's the same philosophy that has guided Midtown Barbershop from the beginning.

Whether you're stopping in for a haircut, attending the Juneteenth Festival, or simply striking up a conversation downtown, Sly wants people to know one thing:

Everybody is welcome.

Midtown Barbershop

207 E Main Street

Elkin, NC 28621

Phone: (336) 526-0035