HOUSTON – A Baytown woman is suing a hair salon after the business allegedly denied her service because of her race.
In a lawsuit filed against Shear Trends, LLC, doing business as Great Clips, in Houston federal court on Sept. 20, Melody Barnes explains that she and her young son went to the defendant’s business on Garth Road last July 3 to have her hair trimmed.
Upon their arrival at the salon, the original petition says, a stylist named Tera began to stare at the plaintiff and took a while before acknowledging the latter.
Barnes, who is black, stated that she needed a trim, to which Tera loudly informed her the store’s ethnic stylist would not be in until two days later.
The plaintiff further asserts Tera “doubled-down in the presence of several persons that no one could help (her) with a trim.”
“No one at Great Clips, including stylist Tera, bothered to personally assess Mrs. Barnes’ hair before reaching said conclusion,” the suit says. “Instead, she was flatly denied services altogether.”
A jury trial is requested.
Attorney Katrina Patrick of the Law Offices of Katrina Patrick in Bellaire is representing Barnes.
Houston Division of the Southern District of Texas Case No. 4:17-CV-2822