West Side businesses move east

A long time ago, 1881 to be exact, a place just two blocks west of Park Avenue was a whole different world from what it is now.

Hannibal Square, or the “west side” of Winter Park, was a vibrant part of town made up of black families who traveled to Central Florida’s first planned community for work. The Square, segregated until the 1960s, was home to many black families and their businesses.

Now, due to the desirable location, wealthy residents and gentrification, Hannibal Square has changed, residents say. Its businesses seem to have been absorbed into the Park Avenue part of town. Many of the cultural landmarks have been taken over and native residents have moved on, leaving behind just a few churches and families, while the Hannibal Square Heritage Center strives to keep the community’s history alive.

A nod to the past

But some west side entrepreneurs are making their mark in the business district. Supermen Fades to Fros just opened up in the Square. Three local black businessmen, Reggie Jones and his partners Adderly Dorcely and Gary Hackett, own the barbershop. Jones said that because there was once a barbershop in the same storefront that closed, he saw an opportunity.

“We go where there’s a need,” Jones said. “There was one here for 30 years, why not put one back in?”

It’s not his first shop in a historically black neighborhood, either. He has another successful Supermen shop in Eatonville and wanted to expand his concept and saw Winter Park as a great place to do it.

“I like the opportunity; this area attracts a variety of people,” Jones said. “We’re around successful people, we’re a successful brand, why not?”

The store is a reminder of the formal days of barbershop, when getting a haircut was more a social event than a chore. Hackett likes to say they’re “growing super men” at their barbershop, and the owners aim to look the part. The three of them wear dress pants and shirts every day and greet customers at the door. They said the community atmosphere is an attempt to bring back the days when men got together and talked while getting their haircut. There are newspapers and magazines and good company. They hope guests will notice this as they pass by.

“It speaks without you opening your mouth,” Hackett said.

“When you hear positive things, you have positive thoughts — that’s the greatest thing I get from here,” said Phil Hastings, a loyal customer for years.

Good place for minority business owners

And now is a great time to be a minority business owner in Central Florida. Orlando was named one of the best places for minority entrepreneurs by Forbes, and is a great place for any small business, according to the magazine. Florida hosts 9.4 percent of the nation’s black-owned businesses, ranking third behind New York and Georgia, and the Orlando-metro area is home to 18,000 of those, according to census data.

Local entrepreneur Jay Jackson saw an opportunity in that, he said. When he noticed that his young, successful friends didn’t have a platform to showcase their accomplishments and network with other professionals, he created RYSE magazine. The bimonthly publication features success stories, entertainment, advice and networking tools for its readers — Rising Young Successful Executives. While its contributors and featured success stories are mostly black locals — Jackson said he used his pool of friends and connections to get the magazine’s start — he wants the magazine to be a tool for all young local entrepreneurs, no matter what their background or race.

“My magazine is about empowering,” said Jackson, who owns Pure Platinum Enterprises real-estate agency in Winter Park.

Bringing more diversity

Empowering others and being a part of diversity are two goals Jackson has in common with the barbershop owners. Jones said that he wants everyone to feel welcome at Supermen Fades to Fros — they’re even letting a woman staffer into the barbershop boys club.

“We’re not focused on just one chapter of the book,” Jones said.

And other businesses are excited to see the shop become a part of Hannibal Square, said Tamra Fatila, who has owned Royal Salon and African Boutique for 12 years. She said the shop is good for the community, which is now right next door to her boutique and salon.

“We want to see job opportunity and hope,” she said. “I’m definitely glad they’re here.”

It’s too early to say that the Supermen are starting a trend in the area, though, said Dori DeBord, director of Winter Park’s Economic Development and Community Redevelopment Agency. While the city has always seen a lot of women business owners, she said she’s happy to see even more diversity move into the area and that it’s a benefit to the community’s economy.

“It brings a nice mix of market and a nice mix of feet on the street,” DeBord said.

The Supermen are pleased to add something new.

“We want to be part of the diversity,” Dorcely said.

“Let’s grow together,” Jones added.

Learn more

For more information about Supermen Fades to Fros, or to make an appointment, call 407-325-8785. The shop is located at 543 W. New England Ave. in Winter Park.