PORTLAND, Ore. (KPTV/Gray News) – A barber who was working to open his own shop in Oregon had all his tools stolen, along with Christmas presents for his children, and now his business is in big trouble. I am receiving
Isaac “Ike's” Chambers has been cutting hair for eight years and is now starting his own business, Get Your Locks Off, in Portland.
Chambers said she was returning home from Black Friday shopping when her car was broken into in the parking lot of her Northeast Portland apartment complex.
“When that happened, I was like, 'Fuck, how am I going to recover?'” Chambers said. “I had to deal with the shock of the moment. I got my hair cut that day.”
The thief didn't just steal the Christmas presents for the five children. They also took $1,500 worth of barber's equipment.
“It's my livelihood, it's how I work, it's how I pay for my kids, everything,” Chambers said.
Chambers said the robbery was a major setback for his business, but he still plans to open in a new space.
Thankfully, several local barbers helped him make ends meet by providing rental equipment.
But while he's grateful for the support, he said it's nothing compared to the supplies he's spent nearly a decade building.
“When you make something your own, it's personal to you. They're personal to you, just like your scissors are,” Chambers said. “Even when I'm using other people's tools, I'm like, 'This doesn't feel like my tool.'”
Luckily, someone in the community wanted to step in and help.
Amanda Lynn Diehl spent years with Chambers at local comedy clubs. She said she has had friends help her in the past, but she knows it's hard to ask for it, so she wants to pay it forward.
“He's also very supportive in the community, always sharing posters of people's events and shows, always trying to get the word out for others,” Deal said. “So when I found out about this incident, a lot of comedians were already commenting, 'How can I help?' “What's your Venmo? What's your Cash Up?”
She started a GoFundMe and has already raised about $2,000 to help Chambers come back stronger.
“I was actually encouraged by it. I'm so grateful that the community came out and helped,” Chambers said. “They didn't even think twice about what they could do. They just jumped in and did it.”
Chambers said he hopes to have the new store up and running within three to four months.
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