A new chapter in traditional barbering is opening its doors with the arrival of The Gentleman’s Chair Barber Shop, owned and operated by Christopher Gilbert.
More than just a place for a haircut, the convenient location looks out over the town’s popular waterfront, and is designed to bring back the feel of classic barbershops many remember growing up with.
“This shop is about tradition,” Gilbert said. “I want people to walk in and feel like they’ve stepped back into the barbershops of the 1950s and 1960s – the kind of place where everyone knew your name, conversations mattered, and the barber took pride in every cut.”
Gilbert said his goal is to recreate the environment many customers remember from childhood—where the barber seemed to have all the answers, advice was freely given, and the barbershop felt like a second home. He wants to preserve that atmosphere down to the smallest details, including the classic bow tie, crisp white jacket, and even a checkerboard in the corner where stories and games were shared.
From the layout of the shop to the way clients are greeted, every detail is meant to honor the craft and culture of traditional barbering and the role it once played in everyday life.
While barbering is Gilbert’s passion today, his background also includes service in the United States Army, something he says helped shape his values. “The Army taught me discipline, respect, and accountability. Those same principles carry over into how I run my shop and how we treat our customers.”
The Gentleman’s Chair is focused on providing more than a haircut—it’s about restoring an experience. Gilbert said he hopes customers of all ages, especially those who remember the barbershops of decades past, will feel right at home the moment they sit in the chair.
