Brown’s Guest House and Hairitage Barbershop
Brown’s Guest House and Hairitage Barbershop continue the Beloved Cheraw Business legacy. Three months after Hurricane Hugo devastated the coast of South Carolina in 1989, Greg Dirks traveled from Kansas to Charleston to assist with recovery and clean up. Despite the devastation, Charleston’s southern charm and history captivated Greg, and when he and his new bride, Becky, were married, they chose Charleston as their honeymoon destination.
Greg’s family were farmers in Kansas. Although he had continued the family tradition of farming, the allure of Charleston, and a different career path, we’re never far from his mind. In the early 2000s, Greg and Becky, their minor children, and another family traveled to South Carolina. The Dirks found Cheraw while researching small towns inland from Charleston. After arriving and settling into their hotel, Greg and his friend searched for work opportunities while Becky, her friend, and the children explored the town.
As the ladies strolled with the children through Cheraw, they found a quaint gift shop on Market Street named “Brown’s Gift Shop.” Since Becky owned and operated a gift shop back in Kansas, she couldn’t wait to explore this treasure. The ladies shopped, and the charm of Cheraw won the Dirks’ hearts! The Dirks relocated their family to the area, starting an auto glass business called Novus Auto Glass.
Growing up in the Cheraw area, the Dirks’s son, Collin, accompanied his father to a barbershop near their home in Morven, where the jovial barber cut hair and made the customers feel special and happy. One day, as they were leaving, young Collin remarked to his father, “I want to make people feel like that.” Collin went on to pursue that dream and entered barber school.
When Becky learned that the quaint gift shop was for sale with Lewis Realty, she immediately thought the space would be the perfect fit for a barbershop! Mary Anderson, the owner of Lewis Realty, showed the property to Becky. When Becky saw the living quarters adjacent to the shop, the idea of Brown’s Guest House was born!
While Collin pursued his barber license, Heather moved to Cheraw, a young teacher from Oklahoma. Heather and Collin married in June 2021. Heather and Collin became the hosts of Brown’s Guest House. Collin completed his barber schooling in 2021, graduating as a Master Barber. He has been working as a barber at another local barbershop. But in February of 2022, Collin plans to open a “Hairitage Barbershop” in the formerly Browns Gift Shop space, where he will be the Master Barber.
The Dirks family continues to honor the legacy of Lores Brown Baker and Brown’s gift shop. The newly renovated guest house welcomes visitors to Cheraw. In addition, the soon-to-be Hairitage Barber Shop will continue the tradition of customer service that Brown’s Gift Shop has so warmly offered for so many years!
An excellent property built room by room with love and patience by Lores Baker-Brown. The business she owned and operated for fifty years continues to serve the community with new businesses but with the same standard of excellence and love. An incredible legacy indeed!
At Lewis Realty, we pride ourselves on being neighbors you know and professionals you can trust. Contact Lewis Realty today to find your New Home here, or call us at (843) 921-2002
