For 60 years, one Capitol Hill barbershop has been a neighborhood staple, providing its service to everyone from longtime residents to curious walk-ins seeking a quality haircut at a fair price.

Tim and Iain’s Barber Shop has undergone a quiet transition, one that speaks to both the passage of time and the power of family legacy in a constantly changing neighborhood.

Original owner Jim Nicholson started the shop in 1966. It operated across the street before relocating to its current location in the 1980s. When Jim retired, his son Tim Collins took over and has been running the shop for decades, building it into a neighborhood institution through consistency, friendliness, and an old-school approach that has remained largely unchanged. The ” J Tim” signage with the crossed-out “J” is a connection across time.

Now, after working alongside Tim for years, nephew Iain Todd has stepped into the role of owner, a transition that happened just a few weeks ago. For Iain, it’s not just a job change; it’s the continuation of a family tradition spanning three generations. “It’s pretty cool being third generation,” he says.

Todd plans to honor the shop’s legacy while carefully considering updates. One possibility is renaming the shop after his grandfather. He emphasizes that changes will be thoughtful rather than sweeping. “I’m probably gonna change some stuff in the new year,” Todd notes, “but nothing major yet.”

Like any good barber, Todd can think on his feet. Part of this conversation took place while he gave CHS a haircut.

Ask Iain Todd how a barbershop stays relevant in a competitive Capitol Hill market, and his answer is straightforward: word of mouth and location. “Lots of foot traffic, which is huge for a barber shop,” he explains. “There’s no shortage of customers.” On a recent day, the shop saw six customers in an hour, ranging in age from their 20s to their 60s, proof of the shop’s appeal across generations. With the TV tuned to Frasier reruns, the vibe is relaxed and timeless, and old-school Seattle.

The barber is also part of a very Capitol Hill mix of hair service providers on the street. Red Chair Salon is across the way and there is a neighborhood Rudy’s a few blocks north. The latest addition is Mac and Milo’s Barbershop which opened on the same block as Tim and Ian’s earlier this year.

Each shop has its regulars and caters to a particular type of customer.

For his 15th Ave E chairs, Todd went to school to refine his craft, learning techniques that differ from cosmetology training. He takes pride in the work, whether it’s a straightforward cut or a more complex style that accounts for individual head shape and specific client requests. His current favorite tool of the trade is his cordless Andis clippers, which he finds reliable for the demanding pace of a busy shop.

Long-time customers appreciate not just Todd’s skill but the values the shop embodies. A customer there during CHS’s visit who has been getting haircuts here for about 15 years says he values “the fact that it’s walk-in, cash, and a reasonable price.” More importantly, he knows the barbers. When asked about Tim’s retirement, the customer’s response reflects understanding: “He’s ready to retire. He’s got a great-granddaughter. I’ve got five grandchildren myself, so I know what that’s like.”

Todd has inherited more than a business location and regulars. He has also inherited a tradition of supporting the neighborhood like when Tim once hired a young local entrepreneur’s window washing service, a small gesture that exemplifies the shop’s neighborhood philosophy.

Anyone who reaches the grand age of 100, receives free cuts for life.

One of the shop’s most charming quirks is its toy-filled window display. Started by Tim’s daughter years ago, the rotating collection of toys has become an unexpected neighborhood draw. Children stop to look, parents peek inside, and haircuts follow. Todd continues the tradition, regularly rotating the window display to maintain the novelty that keeps attracting foot traffic from families passing by, and now handing out toys to kids who get haircuts.

Tim’s retirement party is planned for December 14th at Ada’s, the nearby bookshop and Capitol Hill gathering spot. The event marks not an ending but a transition, one that Todd navigates with respect for what came before and cautious optimism about what’s to come.

For Capitol Hill residents who’ve been stopping by for years, or visitors discovering the shop for the first time, the barbershop remains what it’s always been: a neighborhood touchstone, run with care and consistency. Just with a different face at the main chair.

Tim and Iain’s Barbershop is located at 407 15th Ave E on Capitol Hill and welcomes walk-in customers. Cash preferred, Venmo accepted. Learn more at timson15th.com.

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