Tony Covert lost his father at a young age, leaving his mother, Sherri Brown, to raise him and his seven siblings alone and with limited funds.
One cost savings for the family came from Covert cutting his younger brothers’ hair.
Now the owner of Gentleman’s Club Barbershop in Fredericksburg, Covert hosted his seventh annual back-to-school event Sunday, gifting free haircuts, school supplies and raffle tickets for a pair of Chromebook laptops. The community event was held at Downtown Locker Room in Spotsylvania Towne Centre Mall.
As a young adult, Covert was incarcerated for three years, during which time he began to take his haircutting craft more seriously. He obtained his master barber license prior to being released.
“I knew I needed a job to comply with my probation terms, so I started cutting hair and working at Chili’s restaurant after my release,” he said. “I got into a groove and built up my clientele. After becoming a full-time barber, I opened my first barbershop within that year.”
Covert currently owns two barbershops, one in Fredericksburg and the other in Spotsylvania. His Gentleman’s Club brand is set to expand, with plans to open a third location in Orange County by early fall. In all, Covert has been a barbershop owner for the last 10 years.
“My mom and grandmother have been my biggest supporters throughout this process,” he said.
Brown said she couldn’t afford haircuts for her six boys as a single parent.
“Trying to pay for multiple haircuts was tough, but I believe when Tony got fresh haircuts as a child, it also inspired him to become a professional barber. He loves giving back to the community,” she recalled.
Tony Covert (right) and his mother, Sherri Brown, pose for a picture during the Gentleman’s Club Barber Shop’s seventh annual back-to-school event. (Photo by Jamar Billingsley)
Master barber Dante’ Lunsford has worked in the Gentleman’s Club Barbershop chain for the last six years and expressed gratitude for the opportunity afforded by Covert.
“Tony is a great guy with a big heart — he will give the shirt off his back,” Lunsford said.
Prior to joining Covert’s barbershop chain, Lunsford was overcoming personal trials and tribulations of his own. He has been building his own “Dun Up” barbering brand under Covert’s tutelage.
Lunsford loves supporting the back-to-school event each year.
“It’s good for the community and a good way to give back, that’s why we are blessed,” he said.
The back-to-school event has been held at DTLR for four out of the last seven years. Previous iterations were held at the barbershop locations, and last year at the shoe store “The Come Up,” also located in Spotsylvania Towne Centre.
DTLR established a relationship with Covert when a previous manager used Gentleman’s Club Barbershop services years ago. They decided to do something for the community together, and the rest is history.
The Cove at Lake Anna Restaurant and Bar, Cheeky’s & Casey’s, Monster Roofing and Siding, Illusions Wraps, and I-Garage sponsored the event by donating school supplies.
With the help of Gentleman’s Club barbers John Wright, Manny Lugo, Ivan Gomez, Jefry Manrique, Jesus Fiestas, Alexis Sagardia, Ester Martinez, Kalicia Rector, and Kristen Carter of K Carter Styles, 83 children received haircuts and styles this year, topping the previous record of 68.
