Goodfellow’s Barber Shop Opens in White Salmon
The good fellows opening Goodfellow’s Tonsorial Parlor in downtown White Salmon. What does tonsorial mean? Well according to some, the owners of this parlor included, it means a place where one can receive the highest level of barbering services in a setting that compliments the artform. For others it’s just an old-timey word for babershop. Photo Credit: Cole Goodwin
By Cole Goodwin
Goodfellow’s Tonsorial Parlor held the grand opening of their White Salmon location on May 13th, 2023. Located at 220 E. Jewett Blvd. across from Everybody’s Brewing, the old fashioned gentleman’s barbershop with a pacific northwest twist, the parlor features a beautiful unobstructed view of Mt. Hood from its front window.
The view is hard to capture on camera in the evening hours. For the clearest view while you get your cut, trim, or shave, come by in the morning when the light hits the eastern side of the mountain just so, says Dale.
Husbands Matthew and Dale Grinstead-Mayle of Columbus, Ohio said that they had been looking for a chance to expand their barbershop business when they happened upon the space.
“When we found this place we knew it was the one,” says Matthew.
Once decided, Dale got to work immediately to renovate and decorate the space.
The lounge area for clients to enjoy while they wait to be seen by a barber. Photo Credit: Cole Goodwin
“The ambiance, 100% everything in here has been curated by Dale. A lot of it he did himself, All of the countertops were done at his brother’s mill shop in Seattle, Grinstead Mill Works,” says Matthew, “It’s a lot of custom work.”
The shop has custom countertops, plush leather barber chairs, couches, vintage outdoor gear doubling as decor, skylights and a living chandelier of plants that make the space feel luxurious, nostalgic, and comfortable.
“I love the aesthetic of this gentleman’s lounge kind of vibe,” says Dale “It’s just what I grew up with and it’s this nostalgia of my father and grandfather and it makes me feel comfortable.”
Dale says he hopes the space is welcoming to people from all walks of life.
“I always pride myself on offering a safe space for everyone and being inclusive and all welcoming. Everybody’s welcome in my space always and forever,” says Dale.
The barbershop will be the second location of the Goodfellow’s brand.
“We own a barber shop in Columbus, Ohio that’s been open for six years, and we’re looking to expand. And Dale’s sister lives here in Carson so we came out here to visit and we fell in love with the area over many visits. And so we want to relocate and start our son on his new journey,” said Matthew.
Dale and Matthew sat down for a brief interview with CCCNews. Photo Credit: Cole Goodwin
A still from the show Survivor.
Reality TV fans might recognize Matthew from season 44 of the hit reality TV show Survivor. Matthew, who is a self-described Survivor superfan had originally been cast to take part in season 41, but the onset of the pandemic derailed those plans. Despite this he said he worked hard to stay ready during the downtime.
“You don’t have to get ready if you stay ready,” says Matthew.
However on day two of the show Matthew suffered a rock climbing injury. Dale and the couple’s 5 year old son cheered Matthew on from the sidelines throughout the show. But by day 11 Matthew was in such pain he had to withdraw from the show in order to get surgery to repair multiple injuries including a fractured humerus, and a torn rotator cuff.
Does he plan to try out for Survivor again?
“Absolutely,” says Matthew. “I hope I get that opportunity.”
But in the meantime he’s keeping busy with a different kind of adventure: moving from the midwest to the pacific northwest, opening up a new barbershop, and setting a good example for his son about what it means to be a good dad, husband, and business owner.
“I’m very happy to trade cornfields for Mountains,” said Matthew. “We’re excited to start a new chapter in our life, and we chose White Salmon.”
Matthew and Dale say their five year old son is a big motivator for their decision to move. The two thought long and hard about what kind of landscape they wanted to raise their son in, and like so many before them-they discovered the mountains and the beautiful Columbia River Gorge were calling to them.
A Grinstead-Mayle family photo.
“He’s five. We give him a tablet every now and then during car rides and stuff but here– he’ll set it down and look out the window and just stare at all the stuff we pass,” says Matthew. “It’s just beautiful to watch him do that. And this is what we want. We want him to have this great balance of earth, nature, and city life and different types of people and diversity,. When we think of diversity we usually think of the city. But diversity actually includes smaller rural towns and what they are dealing with too and I want him to see that and to experience a small town community.”
Being a Dad is a big job, so it helps that they have family nearby in in Carson and Seattle too.
However this family still has a little bit of time before they will be eating dinner together every night again. Matthew and son still have things to take care of in Columbus with the other business before they can rejoin Dale in White Salmon in the fall.
Once there, Matthew plans to start offering shiatsu massage therapy in the barbershop. Shiatsu is a Japanese style of massage that works with the body’s energy flow to reduce tension and energize the body. Making this barbershop a one stop shop to unwind, realign, and get redesigned.
Matthew enjoys a moment relaxing on the couch in the future massage therapy wing of the babershop. Photo Credit: Cole Goodwin
This space is currently being utilized as a lounge. Photo Credit: Cole Goodwin
Matthew and Dale also extended a big thanks to all the folks that have frequented their barbershop over the years.
“We wouldn’t be where we are without them,” says Matthew and Dale.
“We’ve gotten where we are by building a really strong bond with our clients, getting to know them, anticipating their needs and trying to provide a space that is not only what we want but that we think our clients will really enjoy,” says Matthew.
Starting over in a new place can be a challenge, but Dale and Matthew say they are looking at it as a chance to lean on their prior experience while embracing new opportunities.
Goodfellows Grand Opening on May 13th, 2023. Photo Credit: Cole Goodwin
Dale says the shop will be open seven days a week although hours may vary at first while he takes care of other aspects of getting the business up and running, but that he hopes to offer a wide range of hours to fit a variety of schedules.
“We both grew up in the service industry, working restaurants and weird hours so like hours don’t really mean anything to me, it’s just a day’s work, you know?” says Dale “I’ll block off time here and there to take a break or sit down or go have lunch but I want to be here for people and you know see what people here need and what times they need me to be available.”
It’s important to Dale to offer a high quality barbershop experience, because for him, nothing beats the feeling of elevating his client’s personal style and well-being through the art of barbering.
"It has taken a while to find my passion. I have held many different types of jobs throughout the years but none have come close to that feeling when I turn someone's chair around and I see the happiness and confidence that comes with a fresh cut,” says Dale.
Dale and Matthew say they encourage the community to come down and check out the new space, hang out and get a fresh cut, trim, or shave while you’re there!
To book your classic barber experience at Goodfellow’s Tonsorial Parlor in White Salmon or to view appointments and walk-in times visit goodfellowswhitesalmon.com or call 509-637-3030.
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