Sommer McKenzie has opened the doors to her new barbershop, The Barberess.

For 14 years, McKenzie has lived on Orcas, where she met her husband. They have two daughters.

“I have an art degree and have always loved to be hands-on and creative, so when the kids were finally old enough to do without me part-time I was able to pursue schooling off-island for cutting hair,” she said. “This is a skill that I find particularly satisfying, and I love the relationships that can develop from connecting with people in this way.

McKenzie’s certification is for barbering specifically, which means she can focus on cutting men’s and women’s hair. She currently does not offer color or chemical processes although she would love to be able to add that service at some point in the future.

“The shop experience I aim for falls somewhere in between classic barbershop and salon, a casual space where you can expect a no-frills haircut but with a little extra attention to detail,” McKenzie said. “I have created a space that I hope feels comfortable and welcoming for everyone, and I enjoy doing men’s and women’s hair equally so I encourage everyone to come and check it out. Currently, I am there by appointment only, but with enough requests I may add walk-in hours.”

The shop is located in the very back of Eastsound Square, upstairs in Suite D-11. The easiest entrance is to come up the back stairs located on the back or west side of the building. Look for the gold scissors, visible from Mia’s. To book an appointment, visit www.thebarberess.com. You can also check out some of her work on her Instagram page @island_barberess.