Coronavirus pandemic inspires Wichita barber to finally open his own shop

As some businesses are starting to close due to the coronavirus pandemic, others are starting to open because of it.

Austin Fulk has been a barber for a dozen years, and he was renting chair space at someone’s shop before the pandemic hit.

After the virus hit, Fulk said he had a realization about his business.

“If I’m going to have to rebuild it back somewhere else, it might as well be my own place.”

That’s what he now has with the Wichita Barber Co., which opened Monday in the former Vortex Souvenir space at 1640 E. Second St.

Fulk likes the central location, and he said there’s a high demand for haircuts right now with both old and new customers.

There are five chairs in the business, including ones for others to rent, while Fulk finally owns his own business.

“It’s just always been a dream.”

This story was originally published May 19, 2020 at 1:29 PM.