PORTLAND, Ore. (KPTV) – A local barber who was working to open his own shop is now facing a major blow to his business after all of his tools were stolen.
Isaac “Ikes” Chambers has been cutting hair for eight years and now has his own business, Get Your Locks Off, on Northeast Broadway in Portland.
He had just returned home from Black Friday shopping when his car was broken into in the parking lot of his 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.”
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The thief didn't just steal 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.
The robbery was a major setback as he is still planning to move into a new residence. Thankfully, several local barbers helped him make ends meet by providing rental equipment. But while he is grateful for the support, he said nothing can match the supplies he has 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.'”
Enter Portland Comics.
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. “There was no resistance to what they could do. They just jumped in and did it.”
Chambers hopes to have the store up and running within three to four months. Follow him on Instagram for updates.
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