Wandering Up to a Curb Near You: Wanderer Barbering Co.
Wanderer Barbering Co. might be Everett’s most convenient way to get a haircut.
Convenience is just one of the perks of having a mobile barber shop on four wheels. Don’t let the van fool you because stepping inside is like stepping through a portal into a high-end boutique. Outfitted with a wood-wrapped interior, a shampoo bowl and comfy chair, and music playing to boot! And did I mention each service includes a relaxing shampoo?
I had the pleasure of utilizing Wanderer Barbering Co.’s services firsthand as I met the owner and barber Alex Lewis for a trim.
“Care for some coffee or sparkling water?” Alex offered as I arrived. So I enjoyed a nice cold (and my first) can of ‘Liquid Death’. A tall can that looks like a beer but is actually sparkling water bringing ‘death to plastic’. It was quite tasty. Alex values being environmentally conscious and for every haircut, a tree is planted with ‘One Tree Planted’.
Don’t worry, it’s just water // Garret Hunt
While Alex normally does house calls, we decided to meet at Grand Avenue Park. I figured a nice water view during my haircut wouldn’t hurt.
As I settled into the chair, I asked Alex if she’d ever had issues with the police while parked streetside. She assured me she had the proper mobile license.
Sometimes I feel a bit uncomfortable getting a haircut from someone new, but Alex’s laid-back, professional style and warm demeanor put me at ease. As we chatted away, I learned Alex is also a certified yoga instructor and has yoga instructional videos available on YouTube.
I wasn’t surprised to learn Alex’s favorite thing about cutting hair is that “I love people and love giving them confidence.”
Alex Lewis // Garret Hunt
The Covid-19 pandemic closures and lockdowns spurred Alex to dig into her creative resourcefulness and bring Wanderer Barbering Co. to life. Alex and her husband did all of the electrical and plumbing themselves. Her family has a farm in Snohomish where her uncle did all the woodwork. With warm running water, heat and power, this mobile salon is fully equipped for full-service grooming.
Alex opened the back of the van to show me all the “guts'' including the water tank, batteries, and all of that fun stuff. It’s a great design and quite remarkable how they brought it all together with such high quality throughout.
Haircut with a view // Garret Hunt
And Alex was already experienced with providing on-site services. Since first becoming licensed to do hair in 2005, she has regularly done hair for events and weddings, so the mobile concept was perfectly aligned with her expertise.
There is a curbside and mileage fee that you can find on the website. An alternative is keeping your eye out for when Wanderer Barbering Co. pops up at events. They were at the Everett Food Truck Festival last year… perhaps they’ll be back for this year's event coming up August 13?
Keep your eye on their calendar, or follow them on Instagram. And soon you may just find Wanderer Barbering Co. wandering up to a curb near you.
Garret is the co-founder + CEO of Live in Everett. He’s also journeying toward wholeness at GarretHunt.com.
