Joel’s Barber Shop moving from Toowoomba CBD to new Herries St location

After 15 years, a staple of the Margaret St CBD scene is moving to greater heights. Here’s where the new shop will be.

Susan and Joel Watson of Joel's Barber Shop are packing up the Margaret St shop and moving to a new venture at the Eastville Shopping Centre on the range, Wednesday, April 5, 2023. Picture: Kevin Farmer

After 15 years of being a staple of the Margaret St CBD scene, Joel’s Barber Shop is moving to greater heights.

On Friday, April 14, Joel’s will close its Margaret Street doors but reopen on Saturday, April 15, in a new location at Shop 5 in the Eastville Shopping Centre at the top end of Herries St on the Range.

While there were various reasons for the move, Toowoomba’s CBD parking problems were a major factor in relocating.

“In the past, many of our customers worked around here and we got plenty of walk-ins,” explained Susan Watson, who with husband Joel owns the business.

Susan and Joel Watson and the team from Joel's Barber Shop (back, from left) Simone Roache, Robyn Partridge, Ahmet Koysu, Chloe Handley, Talia Maculan and Anna Theodosis are packing up the Margaret St shop and moving to a new venture at the Eastville Shopping Centre on the range, Wednesday, April 5, 2023. Picture: Kevin Farmer

“But now a lot of them are working from home so we’ve become a destination and people need to park near here when they come in (for a haircut).

“And, we’ve become tired of arguing with the parking meter people and we’ve had to work quicker because our customers are parked outside.”

Mrs Watson said the move was also a chance to “reinvent ourselves” and Joel’s Barber Shop will be joined by a new ladies hairdressing salon, Mosta Hair.

“The two shops will have the same front desk but they will be separate businesses with Talia Maculan the salon manager for Mosta Hair,” Mrs Watson said.

Susan and Joel Watson of Joel's Barber Shop are packing up the Margaret St shop and moving to a new venture at the Eastville Shopping Centre on the range, Wednesday, April 5, 2023. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Talia Maculan has had a 13-year career in hairdressing starting out with Stephan salons and running her own business in Childers before returning to her hometown of Toowoomba about three years ago.

“It’s very exciting and I can’t wait for opening day and to work with the team,” she said.

Mrs Watson said customers of Joel’s Barber Shop could expect the same experience when visiting the new shop.

Joel’s Barber Shop owners Susan and Joel Watson with Chloe Handley (right) are packing up the Margaret St shop and moving to a new venture at the Eastville Shopping Centre on the range, Wednesday, April 5, 2023. Picture: Kevin Farmer

“We have the same faces, the same loyalty cards and there’s no appointment needed,” she said.

“It’s as if we’ve picked up the shop and transported it to Eastville – except our customers will have free parking.

“And, to show our holiday generosity, on opening day we’ll be offering free haircuts in Joel’s Barber Shop.”