Meet The Towne Barber of Bridge Street

I like to focus on folks in town and keep us all aware of what’s going on. So here is one of our new barbers in town: Kyle Blundell in his own words. I like people to tell me all about themselves as it’s their story right?

I decided to open up a barber shop in Carleton Place as it seemed like a better idea then competing with 500 other places in Ottawa. I also have a lot of friends and family in town my parents have lived in Carleton Place since I was 5 years old.

After Covid first began I left barbering downtown Ottawa, and moved to Almonte with my girlfriend to “quarantine”. With all that free time on our hands, we made a baby —which is due In March 2021. After the initial good news I decided —- after years of my dad asking me to move out here, Id open a shop in Carleton place when restrictions were done.

I jumped on that and opened a week after I was allowed after renting my spot at 103 Bridge street and naming the shop Towne Barber. This November, my girlfriend and I are moving to Carleton Place and going to raise our child in Carleton Place.

I’ve been cutting hair for about ten years and originally began styling just on friends before nights out on the town. I realized I had talent and love for it and pursued in the trade.

It’s been a dream for me to open my own shop and I couldn’t be happier I chose Carleton Place after meeting all my customers and other local small business owners. It’s also super cool that my shop was originally a barbershop back in the day. There’s a picture online of the barber waving out of the door at a parade when it was beside Olympia restaurant.

Barber Howard Little Bridge Street-**The picture above is of Howard Little courtesy of Julia Waugh Guthrie- thank Julia!**

With my name getting out with social media and word of mouth, I’ve been blessed with a steady clientele which gives me a chance to give back to the community a little which lead to my idea to give free haircuts for back to school for boys who’s parents may have lost work from Covid or just needed the extra help.

***Author’s note- I can see from photos that the Towne Barber is kid friendly.***

Now the 25% from gift card sales from now until Christmas will go towards the Lanark County Food Bank since the Santa Claus parade won’t be there for the same charity funding. I plan on always doing what I can to help Carleton place and the people living here. .

Address: 103 Bridge St, Carleton Place, ON K7C 2V4

Phone: (613) 552-6765

BOOK online on Facebook CLICK or call Address: 103 Bridge St, Carleton Place, ON K7C 2V4

Phone: (613) 552-6765

The Howard Little Barber Shop

A fire destroyed the building in 1960, but it was rebuilt and opened again in 1961. Jim Antonakas had previously purchased the building 2.5 years before that fateful day. Antonakas had originally operated a restaurant in the Byward Market in Ottawa.

Everything in the restaurant and garage was destroyed but the firemen aided by the residents of Carleton Place were able to save almost all of the equipment in the barber shop. A fire that amounted to $75,000 worth of damage to: The Olympia Restaurant, Howard Little’s Barbershop and a garage owned by Elmer Robertson containing a small amount of furniture fell prey to the flames. In 1961, the Olympia was rebuilt and reopened. At this time, Stewart Comba leased a part for his furniture shop and R.A. Downing had an office here.

Ray Paquette

The loss of the Olympia Restaurant was a minor tragedy for teenagers in Carleton Place. It was where we gathered to plan our activities for the weekend. On a personal note, the loss of Howard Little’s Barbershop meant I had to find a new “hair stylist” although in truth my crew cut could be duplicated by any of the numerous barbers that plied their trade in town at that time.

The morning after the fire I was on my way to my summer job at 6:00 a.m. and they were still hosing down the remains of the business block. The rebuilding of the Olympia was undertaken quickly so we teenagers were not without a “hangout” for a lengthy period of time.

Thanks Ray for your memories of the: The Howard Little- Olympia Fire on Bridge Street