The Barber Shop opens in former Berna's Barber Shop in Jamestown

JAMESTOWN — The new owners of a downtown barber shop hope to continue the 100-year tradition of offering hair service in Jamestown.

The Barber Shop, formerly known as Berna’s Barber Shop and owned by Berna Kunze, is now owned by Brendan and Leane LaFrance and Delson Saintal. Brendan LaFrance, who has been a barber for about 16 years, said the co-owners heard Kunze was retiring and was looking for new ownership to take over the downtown business.

“We thought it was just a good opportunity to jump on,” LaFrance said. “We went into it with a plan that we are going to make this work and we figured there is a need out here too.”

He said Kunze operated the business for 52 years and she thought someone offered the service for at least 50 years before her.

The co-owners were interested in a location in Jamestown because LaFrance has had several customers from Jamestown go to Fargo.

“Over the years, I’ve had several customers come from Jamestown, Valley City and even Bismarck,” he said. “ … I figure we got the demand and we got some people out here already.”

The Barber Shop officially opened its doors on Feb. 27 at 218 1st Ave. S. The Barber Shop is open from noon to 6 p.m. Sunday through Tuesday and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Wednesday.

The Barber Shop offers men’s style haircuts, beard grooming and even hair designs. LaFrance said The Barber Shop also hopes to offer straight razor shaves in the near future.

“We do a lot more modern haircuts, different fades and designs and keep up with the newer styles, but we are also no stranger to the traditional stuff,” he said.

He said The Barber Shop accepts walk-ins and cash but will also take appointments and credit card payments. The Barber Shop has an online booking available on its website at www.thebarbershopnd.com .

Currently, The Barber Shop will have different barbers for each day the business is open until the owners find a full-time barber who wants to move to Jamestown.

LaFrance and his wife, Leane, own Tailor Made Barber Studio in Fargo and Grand Forks. LaFrance said they also own a mobile barber shop that can be taken to events in Minnesota but is not legal in North Dakota.

“Our barbershop in Fargo has some small office-like studios that are basically one-chair barbershops located in the barbershop,” he said. “Delson has one of those over there that’s called Xperience Barbers. He also has a location in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota.”

The LaFrances and Saintal own Dakota Barber Academy in Fargo where individuals learn how to cut hair and how to operate a business.

“We’ve got a really good team of talented barbers and with the barber school, we have more talent coming out of there too,” he said.

Saintal, who was a student of LaFrance, worked for the LaFrances before opening his own business nine months later.

For more information about The Barber Shop or to schedule an appointment, visit www.thebarbershopnd.com or call (701) 660-5493.