Brock Street Barber Shop opens in Tillsonburg
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When the barber pole in the window is spinning, Brock Street Barber Shop is open for business.
New barbers Marcos Dos Santos and Shawn McLaughlin, after about two months of renovations, officially opened for business last Monday at 7A Brock Street East, Tillsonburg,
"We wanted to have a traditional barber shop," said Dos Santos, "where men would feel good about coming in and hanging out. We created a lounge area, coffee lounge, so they can wait comfortably. We wanted to create an atmosphere.
"We do straight cuts for men and boys. And we also do hot-towel shaves – it's a whole process, the hot towel and some organic essence. Everything to have a good experience. A little treat for men. Actually, we've had a half dozen shaved already, people who have never done it before.
"The advantage of a barber shop is the focus on what we do, which is men's hair cuts. We can cut men's hair, we can do what they want. We listen and we cut the way they like it."
Brock Street Barber Shop is open Tuesday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 .m., and Saturday 9-3. They are closed Sundays and Mondays.
The website is up (Brock Street Barber), the Facebook page (Brock Street Barber) has been created, and they're starting to get the word out around town.
"People really like it... we're excited, we've got a lot of energy," said Dos Santos. "Right now it's been word of mouth.
"This is our first official barber shop. I've always liked to cut hair, as far back as I can remember. I had two uncles who were barbers, but I never did... officially. Even when I was in the army, cutting hair for buddies, friends, cousins."
Originally from Brazil, Dos Santos lived in the Toronto area, and fell in love with Tillsonburg after his first visit.
"When I went back to Brazil, I said, 'what is it I can do, no matter where I am? And still work.' And then it came up... 'why haven't I thought about becoming a barber?' And that's how everything started."
He went to school for it, moved back to Tillsonburg, talked to local barbers. He had an opportunity to rent a chair at a local hair salon, but turned it down, deciding to open the barber shop with McLaughlin.
"We didn't want to step on anybody's toes... but they embraced us. They're happy for us."
Brock Street Barber Shop hopes to attract customers in all age ranges.
"He (McLaughlin) is 25, I'm 53," said Dos Santos.
The price list is as follows:
Haircuts: $15
Senior haircuts: $13
Boys under 12: $10
Hot towel shaves: $25
Shave & haircut: $35
Trims: $10 (beard or hair line)