Pandemic Was No Laughing Matter, but Downingtown Barbers Found Financial Footing in the Funny

By

All Star Images, Downingtown
Image via All Star Images.
From left: Deseon Eggleston, Jermaine Thomas, Jermaine Reynolds, and Tom Abel.

As it did with hundreds of local businesses, the pandemic cut into the profits of Downingtown-based All Star Images. But its three owners — Jermaine Thomas, Jermaine Reynolds, and Tom Abel — persevered. Jen Samuel, for the Daily Local News, reported how they held it together by cracking others up.

The barbershop had been steadily growing before the pandemic forced the owners to close their doors for four months. Once they reopened, only half of their business returned, as its large number of senior citizen clients continued to stay home.

Because Thomas, Reynolds, and Abel owned it as independent contractors, the business decided not to apply for the federally funded Paycheck Protection Program. The lack of that assistance made survival additionally difficult.

Now, though, things are looking up. Some of the business’s ability to survive came from some high-profile clients, including Downingtown Mayor Phil Dague and newly drafted baseball player Lonnie White Jr.

The regulars are starting to drift back, signifying better days ahead for the shop.

“We are seeing a light out the end because a lot of our customers are coming back — and we’re getting a lot of new customers,” said Thomas.

One boost, however, came during the pandemic and will continue. Thomas used his comedic talent to bring the community together through the joy of laughter. He is part of Comedy Explosion, which regularly held sold-out events in Downingtown once restrictions started to lift.

Read more about All Star Images in the Daily Local News.

Connect With Your Community

Subscribe to stay informed!

"*" indicates required fields

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
Advertisement
Creative Capital logo