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A Cut Above The Rest

KELVIN MA/staff

Edward and Teneca Williams own Boyz 2 Men Barbershop, which has been nominated as one of the four best in the country by the Hoodie Awards.

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By KATHY STEELE, The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 15, 2007

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SULPHUR SPRINGS - Teneca Williams pushed her husband for eight years to open a barbershop. It would be a great investment, she told him.

Six months after following his wife's advice, Edward Williams' Boyz 2 Men is one of four finalists in the Ford F-150 fifth annual Hoodie Awards as best barbershop in the nation.

In October, the couple and their barbers and braiders, family and friends will be Las Vegas-bound for the awards ceremony.

Boyz 2 Men, 8403 N. Florida Ave., got a few shout-outs in the initial online voting during comedian Steve Harvey's morning radio show Aug. 8. But it was nearly three anxious weeks of waiting before Harvey's staff confirmed the shop was a finalist.

'We had an idea we were in the ranking,' Teneca Williams, 36, said. 'It is really exciting. We're the only barbershop in Florida to be nominated.'

The final ballots for best barbershop were cast online Friday at www.steveharvey .com. The winner will be announced Oct. 20 at Orleans Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas in a show hosted by Harvey.

Big John's Alabama Bar-B-Que, 5707 40th St., is in the running as best barbecue place; online voting in that category will be from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sept. 24.

The Hoodies were created five years ago to recognize local businesses and community leaders in 12 categories: barbershop, beauty salon, community leader, fried chicken place, soul food place, nail salon, carwash detail shop, barbecue place, high school, high school teacher, church and church choir.

Within the next few weeks, Harvey is expected to air his radio show live from Tampa and visit Boyz 2 Men for a videotaping.

The shop sports flat-screen televisions, a pool table, outsized chess board, video games and a laid-back air. It is in a storefront at the busy crossroads of Waters and Florida avenues.

Darrell Flowers got a haircut Tuesday and a game of pool with his stylist, Iris Greene, who said she could take him on.

'It's a competitive thing,' Flowers said. 'I decided to take the challenge.'

Tyler Kouwenhoven, 23, met the shop's owner at a restaurant and was invited to come by. Shop manager Justin McNab gave him a low-cut fade.

'So far the environment is nice,' Kouwenhoven said. 'I'm glad I'm coming to a barbershop in the running for best.'

McNab said the shop's secret is teamwork.

'I enjoy it every day,' he said.

Edward Williams, 39, said he chose his crew almost like a football team, scouting and interviewing more than 50 applicants before hiring the right mix.

'I knew I wanted it be a family-oriented place and cater to all ethnic backgrounds,' he said.

For at least four years, Williams had three plans in the works for barbershops but never took the plunge until Boyz 2 Men six months ago. He plans to open two more shops and create a foundation to mentor boys and encourage them through positive role models.

Reporter Kathy Steele can be reached at (813) 835-2103 or ksteele@tampatrib.com.

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