Look out, Broadway: We’re moving!!

CURRENT ESTIMATED CLOSING DATE: early September
CURRENT ESTIMATED RE-OPENING DATE: late September

WHERE ARE WE GOING?

Big Bro’s Barbershop will be moving a few blocks south to 2375 E Broadway, at the intersection of Broadway and Nanaimo!
This location will allow for more central transit access, as it is on the #7, #9 and #99 bus lines (just make sure you take the 9/99 to Boundary, not Commercial!) We will also have three designated parking spots in a rear lot.

WHY ARE WE RELOCATING?

This new location will offer us significantly more square footage than our current location, and will be freshly renovated by both the landlord’s contractors and Jessie’s hired team. Upcoming improvements include:

  • space for more stylists, which will increase our availability for appointments and walk-ins
  • better equipment for staff, including an improved washer/dryer setup and improved hair washing sinks
  • better heating and ventilation, in order to keep staff and clients comfortable during the temperature shifts of climate change
  • finally: an accessible bathroom!

WHAT WILL THIS RELOCATION PERIOD LOOK LIKE FOR CLIENTS?

Unfortunately, as we juggle two overlapping leases, we have been left very vulnerable by a clause in the extension of our current lease: our landlord at Nanaimo and E 1st is able to evict us with 60 days notice at any point between now and August. So, left to our own devices, we will be only closed for a week or two in September, but should we get booted out before then…well, we’ll try our best to sort something out! We may be able to still operate out of one or two chairs, either in our new location or elsewhere. In lieu of a concrete timeline, updates will be posted to this page and to our social media if/when we get any clarity about upcoming closures this summer/fall.

Make sure you include active contact information when you book your appointments, especially if you’re booking several weeks in advance – we’ll need to be able to contact you if we are left without our usual space to work out of!

HOW CAN CLIENTS HELP?

Between massive renovations, months of double-rent, and potentially extensive closures, this project is extremely expensive! Though a huge chunk of funding (approx. $70,000) has been generously provided by Jessie’s family, and even more is being supplemented by a business loan ($30,000), there are, of course, more costs creeping in from all sides. Anyone interested in giving us a helping hand can do so in the following ways:

  • GOFUNDME CAMPAIGN – If you can offer us a one-time chunk of cash towards our GoFundMe crowdfunding campaign, that would be immensely helpful to our process! Having this money available will allow us to reliably invest in the parts of the project that are important to us, like optimized heating/cooling and ensuring ADA compliance for our accessible bathroom. (Note: our quotes are still rolling in: our current GoFundMe goal is an estimate of how shy we are of comfortably affording the entire project.)
  • PATREON – If you’re interested in contributing a monthly amount to Big Bro’s, that is a very helpful bonus added to our reliable income! Knowing the routine timing of these donations can help us make financial decisions as we go.
  • SLIDING SCALE UPGRADES – If you’re able to, now would be a very helpful time to pay a higher rate on the sliding scale than your usual!
  • TIPS – Our stylists will be facing some job insecurity this summer, as we navigate our potential early evictions. If you can, now is a great time to tip generously!
  • WORD OF MOUTH – Help us spread the word about our relocation! Some folks may have skipped out on booking with us due to our backed-up availability or our location, so tell your friends about our upcoming improvements!

WILL THERE BE JOB OPPORTUNITIES?

In approximately late August, we will start hiring a few additional stylists! We will post a more comprehensive job application this summer, but stylists who have been keeping an eye on us may want to start getting a resume together! (Trans experience, POC, and training with Black hair will be prioritized.)

concept art courtesy of Kelly Arthur Interior Design

We appreciate your patience during what will likely be a turbulent summer season for us. We can’t wait to kick off our ninth year in business this September from our beautiful new home!!

For a financial breakdown of how business has been going, a peek into some day-in-the-life work at the shop, and a look at where this relocation project was at one full year ago, check out our vlog from last April: