Lewes Hair Shop moves to new Route 1 location
For almost 20 years, Cape Region locals who wanted simple haircuts at a low cost depended on Hayat El Mhamdi, proprietor of the Lewes Hair Shop. When it was time for an appointment in the former location on Third Street downtown, they were welcomed into a small, cozy waiting area and then to a comfortable chair where she went to work with clippers, scissors and a feather-soft neck duster in a convivial, old-timey barbershop-style atmosphere.
The bad news is a familiar story for lots of small business owners. She lost her lease when her friend, who owned the building, passed away. The good news is that the community rallied to build a new home for their beloved barber, complete with all of the charm of the old shop and free parking as well.
“I loved my downtown Lewes location because I had so many wonderful customers,” Hayat recalled. “But I got some very nice surprises when they found out I had to move.”
First order of business: a new location, provided by Joe and Karla Johnson, owners of Shore Electric. Their headquarters, located behind Jiffy Lube and next to Bethany Blues on Route 1 in Lewes, is an industrial building with a bit of extra room for additional businesses. In addition to offering a small space perfectly suited for two barber chairs and a comfortable waiting area, the couple arranged for new drywall, lovely new flooring and lighting, and air conditioning. While the building’s exterior calls to mind storage facilities, French doors and a calming paint palette welcome you into a pleasant, airy space.
The second boost came from Dogfish Head proprietor Sam Calagione, who went to great lengths to create prominent signage that makes it easy to navigate to the shop once you turn off the highway.
Another longtime customer, Rusty LaPorte, put his prodigious construction skills to work when he installed the business’ quaint cabinets and mirrors to create two work stations identical to those from the old location.
The finishing touches came from a new sink installed by Hayat’s son-in-law, and artwork from the old space that looks just right in the new. Taking stock of it all on a recent Saturday afternoon, with one customer in the barber chair and two more chatting amiably as they waited for their turns, she shared the simple gratitude and good cheer that’s endeared her to so many people.
“I feel so at home in the new shop and know my customers will too, especially when they come in and see friends and neighbors who’ve been coming here for years,” she said. “I still require people to make appointments, and am so grateful that so many friends are willing to drive a little farther, knowing they can park right out front.”
To make an appointment for a basic haircut, call Hayat at 302-645-7403.
