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Wednesday,March3,2021
Columbia Gorge News
www.columbiagorgenews.com
GORGE LOCAL: IN BUSINESS
A buzz and a shot: Gorge City Barbering
expands in downtown location
Barbers expand
to new space
downtown
The Dalles
Walker Sacon
■ By Columbia
Gorge News
L
INDSEY SCHERER AND KYLE
Watson had been busy
from the start at Gorge City
Barbering in The Dalles.
Since moving to their new store-
front downtown on E. Second early
in February, Scherer said an “in-
flux” of new customers have been
added to the already mostly-full
appointment books.
Scherer said the building’s own-
ers, Tom and Lindsey Giamei of The
Workshop, repaired the floor before
Gorge City moved in.
The barbers then spent two
weeks painting, plumbing and
wiring with “awesome contractor”
Shane Kelly before their Feb. 6
opening. The shop offers a “tra-
ditional” experience down to the
complimentary drink.
“It’s a man’s cave where you can
go to talk, have a shot of whiskey
and hang out,” Scherer said.
Complimentary beer has been
shelved due to COVID guidelines,
but a shot of bourbon or rye is
offered along with services ranging
from "skin fades" and straight razor
shaves to “men’s grey blending”
color treatment.
Scherer and Watson moved
from California in 2019 to start the
business together. Scherer had
been in the industry for more than a
decade, and Watson wanted to join
her, she said.
Their first shop in The Dalles was
an opportunity to make that hap-
pen, moving closer to the moun-
tains in the process.
In 2020, Watson received his
license and took his place behind
the chair next to Scherer’s.
The previous shop on Sixth
was small for two chairs, Scherer
said. Social media posts from the
business about the move and the
old space have used the hashtag
“tinybarbershop.”
Gorge City Barbering has relocated
from their shop on Sixth Street to
205 E. Second Street in The Dalles.
Contributed photos by Mark Eastwood
Lindsey Scherer
Kyle Watson
“DuringCOVID,morespaceis
thenameofthegame.”
Lindsey Scherer
Co-owner Gorge City Barbering
The new, larger space also allows
the couple to do more business
while complying with social dis-
tancing guidelines.
“During COVID, more space is
the name of the game,” Scherer
said.
The business is looking to hire a
barber and a stylist with color treat-
ment experience full-time. Scherer
said applicants need to be licensed
with two years of experience.
“That’s pretty hard to find out
here,” she said. “This is something
we’ve been feeling out since we
started.”
Scherer said the shop has a
welcoming feel and an “American
vintage” aesthetic which is comple-
mented by the couple’s personal
style.
Kyle Watson and Lindsey Scherer stand outside their new location on Second Street, downtown The Dalles. The duo have
barbered together since 2020.
Contributed photo by Mark Eastwood
A 70-year-old church pew
sits below the front window,
signed “Gorge City Barbering —
Downtown” in red and white letters
by Portland sign-painter Devin
Kochanasz.
She said businesses in The Dalles
have done a good job using social
media to promote the “vibe” of
other businesses, not just their
own establishments. Adding
“Downtown” to their storefront was
an attempt to appeal to a sense of
momentum in the area.
Scherer said the move downtown
has been a smooth one. She said
moving, adapting and adjusting
is part of being a small business
owner and something she and
Watson are comfortable doing,
pandemic or not.
Gorge City Barbering is located
at 205 E. 2nd St., with parking on
2nd and Court. They are online at
gorgecitybarbering.com and can be
reached by phone at 541-224-6644.
Appointments are preferred.