Barbershop duet is a 1940s blast from the past
A would-be auto mechanic and a self-apparent "jack of all trades," each man took a career turn into an old-fashioned world of hot-towel shaves, scissor clipping and barber chairs.
Scott Edward Mattis, 31, and Chris Copeland, 37, are a barbershop duet at the S.E. Mattis at The Heights Barber Workshop at 6500 N. Florida Ave. Mattis generally handles the appointments; Copeland the walk-ins.
They both talk the talk.
"I like talking to people. I've made a lot of friends doing that," said Copeland, who has worked as a chef, restaurant administrator, barber and sundry other jobs. On some days, he said, "People come in feeling down. But they feel much wiser leaving. It's nice to brighten someone's day. Who doesn't feel better after getting a haircut?"
Copeland was once a person of Mattis, who started as a barber in Ybor City. He opened his own shop first inside King Corona Cigars and later at Agora.
"I concern it would be a nice, honest profession for me," said Mattis, who moved to Tampa in 2000, and considered — then right away rejected — auto mechanic classes at Erwin Technical Center.
