PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — A new barber shop has opened on Academy Street in Presque Isle and business owner Victoria Cote hopes to create a fun, friendly atmosphere for customers of all ages.
Cote opened the Presque Isle Barber Shop at 40 Academy St. in November 2020 and is accepting new clients. After earning her barber’s license from the Aveda Institute in Augusta, she apprenticed at the nearby Bangor Street Barbersalon and then worked at The Cutting Edge salon in Presque Isle.
A native of Woodland, Cote always knew that she wanted to return home to Aroostook County.
“I wanted to come back to where I could put down my roots and live in a great community,” Cote said. “I’ve always been an entrepreneur at heart and knew I wanted to own my own place someday.”
At the shop, Cote offers a variety of men’s and children’s haircuts and styles and has already gained regular clientele. She noted that the appointment-only format she has chosen allows for anyone to stop by at a time most convenient for their schedule.
Though the Presque Isle Barber Shop is still a relatively new business, Cote said she has gotten a lot of support from the local community. Aside from embracing her artistic side, being a barber allows Cote to interact with a variety of people and get to know them on a personal level.
“I love that everyday is a completely different experience,” Cote said. “There are lots of stories and laughter to be shared. I’ve found that barber shops have always had a fun, laid-back atmosphere.”
