Shop Around: Army veteran opens Blythewood barber shop, hair salon

Meanwhile, Blythewood welcomed its newest barber shop and hair salon, Upscale Cutz and Stylez, at 160 Langford Rd. last week. Upscale is owned and operated by John Edwards — a retired 25-year Army veteran — and his wife, Nyeedra, who is on active duty.

"Many have asked me how I came up with the idea of owning a barber shop," John Edwards said. "The answer lies in my fond memories of going to my uncle’s classic barber shop for a haircut when I was a young boy growing up in Louisiana. I keenly remember the sights and smells of the barber shop and the real experience of being a boy among men. It was a place that made lasting memories to this day."

Edwards hopes to expand Upscale to different locations in multiple states.

This story was originally published January 14, 2016 at 5:29 PM with the headline "Shop Around: Army veteran opens Blythewood barber shop, hair salon."