Hair salon owner sues Clayton County for rejecting permit
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Khalilah Few stands outside the location where she wants to open a hair salon in Clayton County. Photo: Courtesy of the Institute for Justice
A salon owner is suing Clayton County after it denied her a permit to open a natural hair shop in the area.
Why it matters: The lawsuit alleges the county's argument that the location where Khalilah Few planned to open Creative Crowns Collective was already "saturated" with similar businesses is unconstitutional.
- The civil case was filed Aug. 14 by the nonprofit Institute for Justice as part of its Zoning Justice Project, which it launched last year to challenge what the legal firm describes as "abusive zoning practices."
What they're saying: IJ attorney Jessica Bigbie told Axios the nonprofit is arguing that "saturation is just protectionism by a different name."
- "The government should be impartial and fair for everyone," she said, "instead of rewarding someone just because they were first to open a business."
The other side: The county did not respond to Axios' request for comment.
Catch up quick: Few, who operated her business in McDonough before her planned relocation to Clayton County, told Axios she found space to lease at 9526 S. Main St. in unincorporated Jonesboro.
- In March, she signed a lease and submitted the required conditional use permit with the county to open her natural hair and braiding salon.
- A planning and zoning consultant in June recommended denial, stating the business did not align with Clayton County's 2039 Comprehensive Plan and there were three similar businesses in the immediate area.
- "The goal is to eliminate saturation of the same use and seek uses that encourage the highest and best use of the property," the consultant wrote in the recommendation.
- The Board of Commissioners rejected Few's request on July 15.
According to the petition, Few continues to pay rent on the Jonesboro location, which she also spent tens of thousands of dollars renovating.
- Few told Axios she was devastated by the county's ruling, and when she reached out about the rejection, she said she was "brushed off."
- "I would hope that Clayton County makes the process less vague and obscure, and that they're just more up-front with … their vision for the county," she said.
Flashback: In 2024, IJ filed a similar lawsuit on behalf of a woman who wanted to open a hair braiding business in the city of South Fulton.
- The City Council rejected Awa Diagne's request based on a similar argument, but a Fulton County judge in December ordered the city to allow her to open her business.
What's next: Bigbie told Axios that Clayton County will have to file its response to the lawsuit, which she said is due in September.
- In the meantime, IJ also filed a motion asking for an injunction so Few can open her business while litigation continues.