Lighthouse Barber Parlour in Marysville celebrates opening

Mary Martinez, the grandmother of the owner of Lighthouse Barber Parlour in Marysville, burst with pride for her grandson during a ribbon cutting ceremony for the new business on Monday.

“He works hard, he’s professional, he’s funny and he loves antiques,” Martinez, who previously ran a local antique shop, said. “I’m going to cry. We just love him so much.”

Martinez said that he is kind, generous and crazy. She remembers when he was a young boy.

“It was really cold outside,” Martinez said. “And I said, ‘Christopher, come in. It’s cold out there.’ He said, ‘But grandma, I’ve got one under, one under.’”

He had multiple clothing layers on.

Another time, as a little boy, he found some money, and she told him to return it.

“‘He says, ‘A boy’s gotta do what a boy’s gotta do,’” Martinez laughed.

Seeing his grandmother become emotional at the ceremony on Monday meant everything to Lighthouse Barber Parlour owner Christopher Marin.

“That was just such a great moment,” Marin said. “To honor her in that way.”

Marin said that she instilled a vintage vibe in him, and now she can see him using that style in his career – for success.

“It’s just an all-around circle and a beautiful thing,” Marin said.

By the shop's entrance, there is a large wooden barbershop pole that his grandmother found and gave him.

“That’s one of my beloved pieces – I love it,” Marin said. “Oh, that’s my heart now. That’s why I have it displayed right there.”

The barbershop has a traditional barbershop feel.

“And obviously, it just ties into Marysville,” Marin said. “I mean, how do you beat that?”

There is even a stuffed coyote at the front of the barbershop that everybody loves.

“He’s like the mascot here,” Marin said. “... Everybody comes by; they have to stop and take a picture of him.”

As the name of the business implies – Lighthouse Barber Parlour – there is also a lighthouse theme to the establishment as well.

“Anchoring traditions that keep you sharp,” Marin said. “So when you step into the lighthouse, you sit in my chair. Now you’re anchored in. Now you’re inside the lighthouse. Everyone around us are ships, and they’re just sailing. And then, once they sail in, they’re in their safe haven, which is the lighthouse. When they get in their chair, they’re anchored in.”

Fellas, it is a haven.

“A lot of times, barbers, we’re therapists,” Marin said. “A lot of times, the guys are sitting in the chair, and they’re talking to you – real stuff. And obviously getting a good haircut, but it becomes like a family.”

They mainly talk about family, business, sports and the weather – typical barbershop conversations.

“A lot of my customers are blue-collar guys,” Marin said.

Marin reflected that he is an old soul who can connect to any age.

The shop opened around July 1, and Marin said that business has been pretty good and is starting to get more steady now. In addition to Marin, there are two other barbers at the parlor.

“We’re here to work, and we’re just here to add to the community,” Marin said.

Marin first got started with haircutting when he worked for a care facility for underprivileged kids.

“We started taking them to barber shops, and I started thinking, well, shoot. Maybe I can just cut their hair,” he said. “I ended up falling in love with it.”

Eventually, Marin finished an apprenticeship, and his barber career continued from there.

Locals love the Lighthouse Barber Parlour, according to Marin.

“That drives me to keep going,” he said.

The Lighthouse Barber Parlour is located at 414 4th St.in Marysville.