When established small businesses reach a growth point where their physical space can no longer support demand, the decision to reinvest carries real financial and operational risk. PG38 Development was brought in to help ensure that public funding, private investment, and construction execution aligned to create a long-term, sustainable outcome.

Mikey’s Barbershop stands today as a benchmark project within Jackson’s MLK Corridor, demonstrating how experienced project leadership can turn grant funding into a fully realized, community-impacting investment.

Mikey’s Barbershop is a well-established barbershop serving Jackson’s Southside. The business had operated out of its existing location for several years, building a loyal customer base and steady demand.

The building itself, originally constructed decades ago as a gas station, had long since been repurposed and was functioning as a barbershop at the time PG38 Development became involved. While operational, the structure was undersized, outdated, and no longer capable of supporting the business’s growth or long-term durability.

At the time of initial engagement, the owner had recently been awarded $50,000 through the MLK Corridor Improvement Authority’s grant program, intended to support reinvestment and revitalization within the corridor.

While the funding represented a major opportunity, the project faced several challenges:

• An aging structure with significant deferred maintenance
• A roof in poor condition that posed both cost and scheduling risk
• Mechanical systems that would require substantial upgrades
• The complexity of expanding an existing structure while the business continued planning for future operations

The challenge was not securing funding, but executing the project correctly so the investment resulted in lasting value rather than short-term improvements.

PG38 Development was contracted to renovate and build out the existing structure, nearly tripling its usable square footage, and to guide the project from early planning through final completion.

The owner needed a partner who could:

• Translate grant funding into a realistic construction scope
• Coordinate with the City of Jackson and corridor members
• Work with multiple trades under a unified plan
• Identify cost-saving strategies without sacrificing quality

This was not a cosmetic remodel. It was a full transformation requiring construction experience, municipal coordination, and disciplined project management.

PG38 Development worked with the owner and helped to coordinate major aspects of construction, including:

• Electrical systems
• HVAC installation
• Plumbing upgrades
• Structural expansion and interior build-out

One of the most critical challenges was the roof. Its condition was poor enough that conventional repair would have resulted in higher labor costs and extended timelines. PG38 Development engineered an alternative solution by assembling a new roof system on the ground and setting it in place using a crane.

This approach:

• Reduced on-site labor time
• Controlled construction costs
• Minimized disruption
• Delivered a structurally sound, long-term solution

As the project progressed, PG38 Development’s planning and execution helped support the approval of additional grant funding, allowing the project to fully address mechanical systems rather than deferring critical components.

This ensured the building was not just expanded, but properly modernized, aligning the final outcome with both the business’s needs and the intent of the corridor investment program.

Today, Mikey’s Barbershop operates out of a significantly expanded, modernized facility that supports:

• Increased capacity
• Improved working conditions
• Long-term operational stability

The project stands as:

• The largest success story from the MLK Corridor grant program
• The only major project within the corridor that has been fully started and completed to date

Many grant-funded projects struggle not because of lack of funding, but because of lack of execution strategy. Mikey’s Barbershop demonstrates that:

• Public funding must be paired with experienced leadership
• Early structural and mechanical decisions matter
• Cost-saving strategies require real construction knowledge
• Coordination with municipalities is as important as construction itself

For business owners considering reinvestment, this project shows what is possible when planning and execution are aligned.

• Project Controls & Cost Management
• Trade Business Coaching
• Development Feasibility

PG38 Development exists to help business owners and property stakeholders turn complex projects into clear outcomes. Mikey’s Barbershop reflects our belief that revitalization succeeds when experience, accountability, and execution come together under one roof.