Charlotte Sambo Sign

I am not surprised over the controversy surrounding the Charlotte, NC “No Grease” brand.  I would like to share my personal story and experience with the, how some may describe, infamous logo.

I moved to Charlotte   years ago and like most Black folks I had to immediately identify, a hair stylist, the nearest Red Lobster and club life, not necessarily in that order. 

When I inquired about a barbershop, a friend suggested that I check out a shop on Central Avenue.   He told me the name and when I inquired about landmarks he just laughed and said it would be clear.  When I approached the shop and took in the full view of the No Grease logo, my mouth dropped, insert slow motion effect and your favorite explicative.  Needless to say I did not enter the establishment and went to another barbershop down the street and patronized them for years. 

I moved here from Atlanta and had experienced a pretty progressive culture, so the logo was definitely shocking.   I mean would I find “For Colored Only” drinking fountains in this city? I ran into my friend a few days later and he laughingly inquired did I like the shop? I said what made you think that I would go into “The Jiggaboo Joint?”

Fast forward several years later a friend turns me onto a great stylist for natural hair; the only issue is she was temporarily working at “No Grease.”  For years I had avoided this place but it seems destiny had other plans. 

I arrived early for my appointment; my heart was racing, the Roots theme song played in my head.  I nervously kept looking over my shoulder, certain at anytime there would be a crowd of NAACP protesters or worse a pack of “Eyes on the Prize” Civil Rights dogs and fire hoses.

I did not know what to expect.  Would I be greeted by a receptionist sporting the latest in “Gone with the Wind” plantation wear? Would the bootleg man be hawking “Birth of a Nation” DVD’s instead of the latest Tyler Perry film?  Instead of cutting arrows and other graphic designs would the Barbers etch maps of the Underground Railroad in the heads of their patrons?

I entered the shop and was immediately impressed.  The hostess was pleasant, the barbers were in uniform, and the overall presentation was professional.   I met my stylist and we have enjoyed a wonderful professional relationship, as she opened her own establishment.

And although I found my overall experience at No Grease to be a pleasant one,I still, like many of my friends, cannot bring myself to patronize a business with the “Bamboozled” marketing theme.

If unchecked this could lead to other counter-culture marketing plans. The following are Professor Locs  Top Five equally bad business plans:

Gay Ray’s House of Flaming Ribs

Crazy Coons Beauty Supply and Nails

Spic and Spook’s Car Wash and Rims

Chief Apache’s Beer and Bait Shop

Uncle Tom’s Chicken and Waffles

 

 

 

 

 

 

Comments

[Professor Afro]

I hate that place. They're money grubbing and have no sense of community. They have tiny "no parking" signs posted that are not exactly well advertised. They have a guy who watches you park and then if you walk into Zada Janes or any other local business, he tows your car to NODA and you have to pay $120 to get it out of impound. I am confident No Grease enjoys part of that ransom.

[professorlocs]

Professor Afro I have heard similar stories of the parking lot money pit...laugh.