New barbershop opens in Birch Bay

Birch Bay has a new barbershop, run by an experienced barber who recently moved to Birch Bay from Seattle.

Mario Lupo recently opened Lupo’s Barbershop at 7620 Birch Bay Drive, where he is renting a shared space across the street from The C Shop. Lupo cuts and styles hair for men, women and children. “I do everything,” he said. “I specialize in men’s hair, but I can do everything from military cut fades for men to long women’s haircuts with layers, and kids’ haircuts as well.”

Lupo has been a barber for 10 years, and previously worked for Rudy’s Barbershop, a high-end chain of barbershops founded in Seattle. In mid-October, he decided to move to Birch Bay in order to be closer to his parents, who live in Birch Bay, and his brother, who lives in Ferndale. “We’re all close,” he said.

Lupo learned how to cut and style hair at the Gene Juarez Academy in Seattle. He was attracted to the career because of the opportunity to interact with customers and meet their aesthetic needs.

“I’ve always enjoyed just being in barbershops and seeing how they’re all different and unique,” he said. “I figured it would be fun to do that. You get to talk to people all day and meet new people and make them happy. When they come in and sit down, you’ve got to make them look good.”

Lupo’s prices are in the $25 to $35 range, depending on hair length. He also offers senior and military discounts.

Lupo’s Barbershop is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday for walk-ins. To make an appointment outside those hours, call 206/518-8930. “I’m pretty open to any time that works for people because people have different schedules,” he said.