Eva’s Beauty Shop, a community spot for over 40 years

The Chapel Hill-Carrboro Chamber of Commerce will induct seven business leaders into its Hall of Fame on November 5. The Daily Tar Heel will feature each of these inductees. Eva Barnett, owner of Eva’s Beauty Shop, will be among those inducted.

To the average passerby, the two identical green-roofed houses across from Carrburritos appear to be ordinary houses in the midst of a row of businesses on West Rosemary Street in Carrboro.

But one is the location of a local business more than 40 years old — Eva’s Beauty Shop. The other is the home of Eva herself.

Eva Barnett opened Eva’s Beauty Shop in the early 1970s in the very location where she grew up, though she said she has had to rebuild.

Barnett said she has lived on this same plot of land for her entire life.

As the sole employee of the beauty shop, Barnett has been serving customers for decades and is known for her excellent service.

“I like doing (hair),” said Barnett about her decision to start working as a hairdresser. “And I have to work.”

This made for an easy career choice for Barnett.

Although she is retired, Barnett said she still does hair for many of her oldest customers.

She said she also goes to the Signature Healthcare of Chapel Hill nursing home to do the hair of a few customers who live at the healthcare facility.

Barnett has been doing hair for Helen Louise Dunston and her family for more than 25 years.

She has provided hairstyling services for four generations of the Dunston family in total: Dunston herself, her mother, her daughter and her granddaughter.

Barnett described her beauty shop as a place that is convenient for the neighborhood.

She said this is what gives it value in the Chapel Hill-Carrboro community.

After being nominated by a lifelong friend, Barnett was selected as one of seven local business owners to be inducted this year.

“The 2015 class of business leaders is nothing short of exceptional,” said Robert Saunders, chairperson of the chamber’s board of directors, in an email.

“I am pleased to be one of many who will cheer their accomplishments and thank them for their leadership, their service, their commitment and the lasting positive impression they have made.”

The chamber created the Business Hall of Fame in 2013 to highlight several outstanding members of the business community each year.

The seven inductees will be recognized at a Hall of Fame gala, which is a black tie event that will include a cocktail hour, dinner and entertainment.

“I think she deserves (the award),” Dunston said. “It’s real nice.”

@meganroyer

city@dailytarheel.com