What are possible reasons why a black barber shop might have had trouble stayin in business in the 1890s??

The barber wasn't very good? It was an accepted thing, in the 1890s, to have a black person shave you, cut your hair, shine your shoes, and do all sorts of other personal services and most of the 'freed' Blacks who set up small businesses did so in the service sector. Women took in washing, for example. So, although prejudice wouldn't have entered into this particular equation, other factors may have. Location may have been a problem. A mixed clientele may have been a problem. Attitudes (both of the barber and his customers) may have been a problem.

You did'nt haf to post this.You should know.One clue it's still around and happening today!

I think cause of predijusts back then.

because there was alot more racist back then and they could easily get away with killing the owner burning down his business takeing his wife and kids and making them pick cotton

YEEE HAWW PICK DAT COTTON BOY GET ER DONE
THE SOUTH WILL RISE AGAIN!!!

Mr. Skin's answer is right on point, much as our domestic Holocaust deniers hate to admit it.

Safe to say that no "decent" white man would patronize a black barber shop during the "Gay 90s". There were white rebels I'm sure, but they were few, far between, and reviled by "decent" white opinion. Maybe subject to ostracism and/or terror as a "n*****lover".

Now of course there could be black customers... would a store-bought haircut be too much expense for them? In the sharecropper South, highly likely -- the wife or grandma would cut the hair at home. Or a neighbor might, as a favor or barter for some other service. Harlem, e.g., I bet the black barber shop did OK if the barber was good and knew how to manage a business.