In downtown Hope, Arkansas, on West 2nd Street, Beards & Shears Barbershop is more than just a place for a trim—it’s a proud symbol of a family legacy that spans three generations and two towns. Owned and operated by Kylie Brooks, a third-generation barber, the shop continues a tradition that started decades ago in Ashdown, Arkansas, with her great-aunt, one of the few women of her time to hold a barber’s license.
Kylie, who has been the owner of Beards & Shears for nearly 17 years, grew up surrounded by clippers and conversations. Her mother, Janice Fontaine, was a well-loved figure in Hope, owning Jan’s Barbershop on Hervey Street for over 30 years. Janice was inspired by her aunt, who worked at Mugs & Brush in Ashdown for more than four decades. This line of strong, skilled women in a traditionally male-dominated field laid the groundwork for what Beards & Shears stands for today: community, consistency, and craftsmanship.
Kylie isn’t alone in carrying on the family tradition. Her brother, Gabriel “Gabe” Black, joined her 14 years ago after working in mental health services. Now a licensed barber, Gabe offers a unique perspective by combining his counseling background with the personal, conversational style of barbering. “It’s more than a haircut,” he explains. “It’s about knowing people, hearing their stories, and being part of their lives.”
The shop also features the talents of Whitney Bearden, affectionately called “The Stone Ranger,” an inside joke at the barbershop for her horseback riding skills and a memorable silhouette role in a Stone Bank commercial, along with newcomer Kimberly Dochery, who brings fresh energy to the team. Together, they form a close-knit crew that embodies small-town service, welcoming walk-ins, sharing laughs, and creating a space where everyone feels at home.
Despite the rise of appointment-only salons and digital booking systems, Beards & Shears remains a walk-in barbershop, a rarity today. Gabe admits this model may be disappearing, but he insists their success depends on being present and dependable. “People come back because they know we’ll be here,” he says.
The link to Mugs & Brush in Ashdown isn’t just historical—it’s symbolic. It reflects the roots of a family that has shaped the grooming culture of southwest Arkansas for nearly a century. From Ashdown to Hope, from great-aunt to granddaughter, the scissors have been passed along, but the mission stays the same: to serve with skill, heart, and heritage.
As Kylie manages two locations—one in Hope and another in Texarkana—she also raises three children, possibly grooming the next generation of barbers. For now, Beards & Shears remains a beacon of tradition, where each haircut tells a chapter in a much larger story.
