Mitch’s Barber Shop – A Classic Cut with a Personal Touch

Listen to Podcast Here: Mitch's Barber Shop

Tucked along Cloquet Avenue sits a timeless reminder of tradition and craftsmanship: Mitch’s Barber Shop, where men’s haircuts are delivered with precision, care, and a touch of conversation by seasoned barber Mitch Wybierala.

For Mitch, the journey to barbering wasn’t a straight line. After 25 years working in a plastics factory in Mora, a corporate downsizing in 1996 led him to reevaluate his path. “It was tough,” Mitch recalled. “Twenty-two of us lost our jobs, including me.” Instead of standing still, he pivoted, enrolling at Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College in Cloquet to earn a degree in Human Resources and Counseling. That education led him to a fulfilling role at the St. Croix Boys Camp.

But it was a friend—local barber Darrel Powers—who saw something more. “Darrel said, ‘You should go to barber school,’ and I took him up on it,” Mitch said. And with that, a new chapter began.

Barber school gave Mitch not only technical training—perms, coloring, written exams—but something even more valuable: a second career with purpose.

“Barbers are trained from day one to cut men’s hair on real people,” Mitch explained. “It’s very different from beautician school where they start on mannequins.”

Mitch spent seven years working alongside Darrel in Carlton before opening his own shop in Cloquet over 15 years ago. Today, Mitch continues to operate his business with the same steady hand and welcoming smile. “I can deliver a quality men’s haircut every 15 minutes,” Mitch said, “but it’s the people who make this job so rewarding.”

Mitch’s Barber Shop is the definition of old-school. There’s no online booking or mobile app—instead, customers simply stop by and sign up using the clipboard in the entryway. It’s a system built on trust, community, and a first-come, first-serve basis that has stood the test of time.

Like many small businesses, Mitch’s Barber Shop weathered the impact of COVID-19. “We had to shut down, and a lot of guys moved away or started cutting their own hair,” Mitch shared. Now working just two days a week after entering early retirement, Mitch balances his love for the trade with a well-earned slower pace of life.

Whether you’re in need of a sharp cut or a good chat, Mitch’s Barber Shop offers both in equal measure.

Visit Mitch’s Barber Shop

📍 1423 Cloquet Ave., Cloquet, MN 55720

🕘 Open Mondays and Tuesdays | 9:00 AM – 3:30 PM

📋 Walk in and sign up at the entryway – classic style, classic service.

A haircut with Mitch isn’t just a trim—it’s a connection, a story, and a slice of small-town pride.