Alexandra’s Salon & Barbershop Thrives on Hoyt

In 2006, when Alexandra Bedetti was inspired to open her own hair business, Downtown Everett was not the sort of place where people wanted to loiter on the weekends.

One day, while driving past an empty cinderblock building at 2910 Hoyt, she had a sudden inkling that can only be chalked up to most potent of F words—fate.

This was the place.

Alexandra’s Barber Shop // Richard Porter

For two nights after she saw the building, she “did her college homework” as she puts it—putting together a plan and applying for the lease.

She got the place. And it was ugly. Seafoam green walls, red carpet, and tacky office cubicle dividers. Alexandra painted and added a mudded archway. She installed faux wood vinyl flooring. With a little elbow grease, it looked great.

The interior of Alexandra’s Barber Shop // Richard Porter

An art piece hanging in Alexandra’s // Richard Porter

Alexandra, a talented visual artist, put up curated paintings that she loved and added green plants and mirrors to the space.

As a mother of three, she started balancing her work in the shop with family life. It was a hustle making sure that all of her responsibilities were met.

The street began to change over time. The Recession ended. The city resurfaced Hoyt Avenue and installed public art, the Schack Art Center was built, followed by the Library Place Apartments. Cafe Wylde moved in next door, then Toggle’s Bottle Shop around the corner, and a little (but strong and resilient) media outlet known as Live in Everett set up shop, too.

Alexandra’s had cred in Port Gardner, a place that was suddenly a changed neighborhood, a home to arts, dining, and nightlife.

Alexandra Bedetti has cultivated a strong stable of regular clientele based on her reputation as an exacting colorist. She still sometimes refers to a chart with a color theory wheel and takes into consideration what her client’s hair goals are.

She can work anything from extensions to dreadlocks. Her back room is carefully stocked with tubes of every hair color conceivable—from basic colors to punk rock lime green.

I’ve been going to Alexandra’s regularly since last year. I first went for no other reason than convenience—it’s next door to my office and I’m always walking the neighborhood.

The resident barber, Texas-born Deon, isn’t your typical barber. He won’t zip you in and out of the chair with a quick buzz. Rather, he’ll take forty-five minutes (client lineup or no) to meticulously measure out and scissor-cut your hair, lining up the cut. Weeks afterward it’s the type of ‘do that simply can’t be combed wrong, no matter which direction you slick it.

Dapper.

Deon will make sure your haircut is flawless // Richard Porter

Deon’s expertise comes from his time working in Seattle barber shops. He also offers straight razor shaves with lather and hot towels. Nice.

Nothing says “barber shop” like the classic barber pole // Richard Porter

So. You could get your hair did in a fluorescent-lit strip mall buzz-and-go chop shop. Or, you could patronize Alexandra and Deon, two hair artisans in a cool part of town who will treat you like royalty. The shop’s been around for over a decade for a reason.

I guess it depends on what you like.

For my money, though, you know where I’ll be getting cut.