Chubby’s Barbershop Featured in Network Interview
BASTROP, Texas — On Sunday, April 26, 2026, at 2:00 p.m., Chubby’s Barbershop became the focus of a local network feature, capturing more than a business—it told the story of a community cornerstone shaped by resilience, reinvestment, and purpose.
Founded in 2019 in Tahitian Village, Chubby’s Barbershop began as a modest operation with a clear vision: create a space where people felt seen, welcomed, and safe. As demand grew, owner Chris Higgins made the decision to relocate to a Main Street location—an expansion that reflected both growth and commitment to Bastrop’s historic core.
From the start, Higgins has been intentional about what Chubby’s represents. It is not limited to one demographic or identity.
“It’s not just a man’s barbershop,” Neka Walla shared during the interview. “Everyone is welcome—whether it’s here or down the road, expect us to be there.” Higgins added, “The goal is for people to feel safe.”
That philosophy is visible in both the clientele and the culture inside the shop. Chubby’s has become a gathering space—where conversations flow, mentorship happens, and relationships are built across generations.
Higgins’ impact extends well beyond the chair. A youth football coach and community organizer, he has consistently poured resources back into Bastrop. Last year, he provided jerseys for his team—an act that reflects a broader pattern of reinvestment.
His business model follows the same principle. After receiving a competitive Main Street America grant—awarded to only 14 barbers nationwide—Higgins used the funding not for personal gain, but to expand opportunity. The shop added an additional barber chair, creating space for another professional to grow.
Even the physical building tells part of the story. Following approximately $15,000 in remodeling, the property’s value increased significantly during a transition between owners. Yet for Higgins, the true value lies not in property, but in people.
Despite six years of operation and proven success, Higgins noted ongoing challenges in accessing traditional financial support. Banks have yet to extend loans to sustain or expand the business—an obstacle many small, independently owned businesses continue to face.
Still, Chubby’s stands as a testament to what can be built without institutional backing—through consistency, skill, and community trust.
Higgins’ work is deeply personal. He has also developed his own grooming product, “Goat Butter,” further extending the Chubby’s brand through self-made, independent production.
At the center of it all is family. Higgins, the son of Catina White Higgins and a father of three, grounds his work in generational responsibility—building something his children can see, understand, and carry forward.
The recent interview, produced by a Texas-based team including La Escandalosa ATX of MJ Productions, signals a new chapter. With reporter Emma and cameraman Miguel on site, the segment aims to bring wider visibility to Chubby’s—particularly as the business navigates transition and future growth.
The goal is clear: extend support beyond Bastrop while staying rooted in it.
As Higgins considers what comes next, the question is no longer whether Chubby’s has impact—it is how that impact can be sustained and scaled.
Community members and potential sponsors now have an opportunity to support not just a business, but a model—one built on inclusion, mentorship, and reinvestment.
Because at Chubby’s Barbershop, the work has never been just about hair.
It’s about people.
