Brother and sister duo Steve and Carolyn Johnson broke ground last week on a new location to keep their father's dream alive.
Johnson Barber & Beauty Shop, 609 E. Elm St., will be moving in the coming months to a Marshall Street address. The family-owned and operated shop is one of the oldest existing black-owned businesses in Jefferson City.
"My father built it back in the 60s," Carolyn said of her dad, Carl E. Johnson. Now, Steve owns the business and Carolyn runs it, she said.
The family made plans to move when MoDOT asked for their current land, in order to build a ramp to satisfy plans for the new highway and Lafayette interchange.
"We really like where we are, this was my father's. We wanted to rebuild in his honor," Carolyn said.
The tradition of Johnson's Barber & Beauty goes way back and is something the local black community depends on, she said.
The new space will not be much bigger, but will include a second bathroom. It will house space for three stylists and three barbers and include a basement. The business hopes to be in their new home by the first of December, as they are supposed to be out of their current location by early January.
"This is a family business we wanted to continue with, and keep his name going. ... It's important we rebuild."