Owner Jim Simon has added a larger staff to accommodate the area’s population growth. He has also continued his efforts in supporting local youth sports teams.[/caption] For 40 years, Jim Simon has operated Simon's Barber Shop in Oak Ridge North. Simon, who also serves on the Oak Ridge North City Council, said community support has been key to the long-term success of his business. Like other nearby businesses, Simon said his business has continued to expand and has added several employees to keep pace with customer demand. "Our business has always been good, but we put a new [stylist] on and her business is picking up and on the first of the year we are going to put another [stylist] on," Simon said. "The only problem we are having around here is parking because everybody else's business in the area seems to be picking up too." Over the years, Simon said he has seen Oak Ridge North grow and recapture a sense of community that he said was instrumental for his business. "Everything took place because of families," Simon said. "As ORN matured, it kind of got away from people being connected, to going back to people being connected. Especially Oak Ridge North—because I even see some of the kids that we coached moving back into the neighborhood and buying their parents' homes." Even with business booming, Simon said he has no plans to expand the business beyond hiring additional employees this year. "It is hard to find good qualified barbers nowadays. You are better off just running one shop well," Simon said. "I am not planning on growing other than adding barbers to this shop." 26797 Hanna Road, Oak Ridge North 281-364-1288