Partnership Leads to Grand Opening of New Barbershop Off Downtown Peterborough

The newest place to get a haircut has opened up as owners Paul Ferguson and Curtis Self have opened up their new shop, Peterborough Barbershop with its grand opening on Tuesday.

Majority of the shop's decor has come from pieces in both barbers' houses or gifts from customers. All photos by David Tuan Bui.

The shop is located on 165 Sherbrooke St., the former site of Laurie Jones and Company Hair Designers which closed down after 36 of business due to Jones retiring.

“It's nice to be in what was Laurie's spot for the better part of 40 years,” said Ferguson. “It's kind of a full-circle type of thing. I've had family members that have gone to her for years and years so it's nice to take over those roots and continue that legacy of a good family spot here.”

The family-friendly and welcoming atmosphere of Jones’s business is what Self and Ferguson want to incorporate into their barbershop.

“We're trying to have a good welcome spot and be family-oriented,” explained Ferguson. “We wanted to bring back the values of a good family traditional barbershop.”

“We want it to be a community hub for people to come by, feel comfortable and a welcoming spot for anyone who wants to come in for a bit of a trim,” added Self. 

Self had barbered for the past eight-and-a-half years while Ferguson worked in the business for the past five. Self began as an apprentice and became a master barber. He apprenticed Ferguson as the latter is currently a senior barber, working his way towards being a master barber.

Both men say that opening the shop was the next step in advancing their careers.

“It was the logical next step,” explained Self. “It's just a progression in our carer and decided to take on the task and the responsibility of opening up a barbershop for ourselves.”

“Becoming a shop owner I think is the best way for me personally to become the best possible I can and doing it with Curtis was a shoo-in just because we work well together,” said Ferguson. “He was a mentor to me and we feel like we can grow in this space better than any other spot.”

Since the first week of the barbershop’s opening, both barbers have been seeing customers in past businesses they have worked in that have been ‘emotional at times’ according to Self.

“It tugs at your heartstrings a bit,” explained Self. “It's heartwarming and it's just gratifying seeing those faces because really at the end of the day, what it's about.”

“Being a barber is a perfect opportunity to meet with people all day long,” said Ferguson. “We wanted to be a part of the fabric of the community and being in the southern part of downtown here has been amazing.”

Peterborough Barbershop is open five days a week from 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. from Tuesdays to Fridays and 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. on Saturdays. Appointments can be booked online with walk-ins welcome.

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