NACOGDOCHES COUNTY, TX (KTRE) -
As barber Chester Pleasant trims a
loyal customer the 30-year-old is still recovering from an attack in his shop
nearly three weeks ago.
"Turned my back to lock the doors
that's when I began to get robbed," said Pleasant.
The Houston native opened his business three
months ago hoping for a fresh start.
"It was always my dream to open
my own shop," said Pleasant.
On July 6th his business was jeopardized when
20-year old Timothy Blanton walked in the door.
At the time pleasant thought he was helping Blanton
out by letting him cool off in his shop.
"He comes in, says he has been
jogging that day. I was cutting kids hair and well being good hearted I let him
get a little fresh air," said Pleasant.
According to police, Blanton attacked Pleasant
with a knife while he was locking up, leaving two stab marks on the barber's
hands and a six inch cut on his neck.
Veteran barber James Millford has been in the
business for over 50 years and he believes monitoring who is in and out of the
shop is the best way to keep it safe.
"If someone was hanging around my
shop and I didn't know them, I would let them follow me around and I would have
the scissors in my hand before he would have them," said Millford."
Pleasant is using the attack as
motivation to start fresh.
"I opened up another shop so I'll
be in a new location, I figure its bigger, better. Use it as a stepping stool
and use it for the better," said Pleasant.
Pleasant believes his new location in
University Mall is the start of a new chapter and plans to open Friday.
Timothy Blanton was arrested July 6th
and charged with felony aggravated robbery his bond is $150,000.
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