Catch the buzz
Steve Lamotte has opened a new barber shop in Blooming Prairie. It is called Steve’s Old Fashioned Barber Shop. On this day, he cuts his son Derrick’s hair. Staff photo by Howard Lestrud
A Blooming Prairie downtown regular was overheard the other day saying, “He sure talks a lot.”
“Isn’t that what barbers are supposed to do?” replied the other downtown regular.
Blooming Prairie is getting a barber shop after being without one for the past 16 years. Jack Shaw opened Shaw Barber Shop in 1955 and continued as the town barber for 54 years before retiring in 2009.
Proprietor of the new barber shop is Steve Lamotte, a resident of Litomysl. The spinning barber pole identifies the new shop at 326 E. Main St.
Steve is the father of Derrick Lamotte, well known for his snow removal business in BP.
Steve Lamotte is a 1987 graduate of Kenyon High School. He graduated from the Minnesota School of Barbering at 36th Avenue and Lake Street in Minneapolis. His barbering experience was nurtured at the Southdale Mall in Bloomington; Waseca; Nolan’s Barber Shop in Owatonna; and the Air Force base in Minneapolis.
Following the stint at the Air Force base, Steve Lamotte sold cars. He then listened to son Derrick and decided to open a barber shop in BP. He is leasing space from Brian Braaten.
Lamotte said he can “do it all” from haircuts to beard trims. He said he can cut women’s hair, too. Haircuts cost $25, wash and style cut $30, beard trims $10, seniors $15, and kids 13 and under, $15.
Hours will be 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays, and from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays. On his days off, he said he may stop by Prairie Manor Care Center.
In the future, Lamotte said he would like to expand to Ellendale, Hayfield, and Austin.
Dick Thissen, a friend, bought Lamotte a barber chair. Thissen has been a barber in Kenyon for over 40 years.
Lamotte is excited about his new venture.
“I’m here to serve everyone’s needs,” he said, clippers in hand. “Stop by.”