Joe Testino is not a barber. He has never trained as a barber or gone to cosmetology school. But over two years ago, he made sure that there’s a spot in Columbia County to serve as an oasis from the bustle and busyness of the workday for men, young and old, and their sons to relax, relate and get a fresh cut and shave. In fact, there are two: one in Evans and one in Martinez.
“I just have a passion for men spending time with their boys, and granddads spending time with their grandsons,” said Testino.
He opened his first V’s Barbershop location at Mullins Colony in Evans in September 2019, then a second right off Furys Ferry Road in Martinez early this year. He encountered a V’s while on a business trip in Phoenix, where founder Jim Valenzuela founded the first V’s Barbershop & Shoeshine in 1999.
Impressed by the atmosphere and the concept, Testino decided to start his own franchise in his own community.
“I thought it was kind of a premium old school feel,” he said. “I thought Columbia County needed that.”
Shoeshine station at V’s Barbershop. Staff photo by Skyler Q. Andrews. 
Barber’s pole at V’s Barbershop in Evans. The shop offers what owner Joe Testino calls a “full old-school barbershop feel.” Staff photo by Skyler Q. Andrews.
The layout of the shop as well as its services are designed to maintain what Testino calls the “full old school barbershop feel.” Straight razor shaves, grooming waxes and even a hot towel and massage are all offered.
Testino’s original vision of a place where boys bond with their dads is encouraged by store customs like offering discounts for men bringing their sons and leaving the television tuned sports networks or cartoon channels for kids.
This along with the ambience seem to leave an impression on new customers.
“I think that we offer something that a lot of other barbershops don’t have around here,” said barber Kaitlyn Dunaway, who has worked at V’s for about a year. “I think here a lot of people take their time to make sure they’re providing a good service. Whenever we do shaves, people are like, ‘Oh, this is actually like getting a facial!’ It’s like an experience, not just getting a quick shave.”
Testino notes the growth of both businesses, including the Martinez location, which has only been open for seven months.
“There are always regular faces,” said Testino. “I can go in there on any given day and see people who were in there two weeks or a month before. People only come back where they’re happy.”
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Testino’s assessment is that what he’s doing is working. Presenting people with a fine trim, a classic barbershop environment and soothing old-school escape is a model that has proven effective enough for him to have made plans to open a new location in Grovetown soon.
“I just think that people need a place to get away for 30 minutes, and that includes more than just a haircut,” said Testino. “Press the reset button, fill the tank back up and go back out and battle some more.”
V’s Barbershop is located at 616 Colony Dr. in Evans, and 3505 Professional Circle in Martinez. For more information visit its Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/vsbarbershopevans.
Skyler Q. Andrews is a staff reporter covering Columbia County with The Augusta Press. Reach him at skyler@theaugustapress.com.
