HOULTON, Maine — For generations, going to a barber was the primary option for men and boys to get their hair cut. Now, a Houlton man is looking to bring back that tradition in the Shiretown.
The Brass Anchor, located at 7 Broadway, opened in Houlton back in June. Owned and operated by Jeremy Bither, the business has grown steadily over the past six months.
The shop is a throwback to days gone by, with two barber chairs and of course a red, white and blue spinning barbershop pole in the window. Situated directly across the street from Cary Library, the location has served as either a hair salon or barbershop for decades.
Bither hopes that familiarity will lead new customers to his business. An antique cash register, similar to one used by the late Roger Lee and Jeremy Adams when they operated Broadway Barbershop, sits prominently near two barber chairs.
“It’s been weird,” Bither said. “I will do 20 haircuts on a Wednesday and maybe three or four on Friday. Business has been slowly picking up. I just need to be patient.”
Bither was a cook in the U.S. Navy for seven years when he served on the U.S.S. John F. Kennedy. During his time on the vessel, he said he dabbled in giving crewmates buzz cuts and found it enjoyable. When he got out of the service, Bither returned to Houlton and operated a convenience store for a couple of years.
When he decided to close that business in May of 2015, Bither said he decided to give cutting hair a try. He enrolled in the New England School of Barbering in Concord, New Hampshire, and was soon on his way to a new career.
“I stayed away for a couple of years because I didn’t want to go from being a pizza maker to barber here in Houlton right away,” he said. “So after school I was hired by Mill Creek Barber Shop in South Portland.”
When he did find the right location and return to Houlton, he chose the name Brass Anchor as a nod to his time in the Navy.
The Brass Anchor is open Tuesdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Wednesdays-Fridays, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; and Saturdays, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Appointments are by walk-in. For more information, call Bither at 207-538-2515.
