Reed’s @ 601, a new barbershop inside JoJo Bean Salon in New Hartford, will hold a public ribbon cutting Friday, Oct. 16, while continuing regular walk-in and appointment service.

By Michelle LaGuerre

Reed’s @ 601 barbershop is now serving customers at 601 French Road in New Hartford, with a formal grand-opening celebration scheduled for 4:30 p.m. Friday. The shop offers classic and modern barbering, including standard haircuts, fades, beard trims and hot-towel shaves.

The Greater Utica Chamber of Commerce will lead the ribbon-cutting ceremony, which is scheduled from 4:30 to 5 p.m. Community members, customers, friends and local business leaders are invited. The shop is downstairs inside JoJo Bean Salon.

Reed’s @ 601 is already open Tuesday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturdays from 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Walk-ins are welcome, although appointments are preferred.

Reed’s @ 601 barbershop opening details

• Ribbon cutting: Friday, Oct. 16, 2026, from 4:30 to 5 p.m.
• Address: 601 French Road, New Hartford, downstairs inside JoJo Bean Salon.
• Regular hours: Tuesday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday, 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Appointments: Available through Booksy under “Reed’s @ 601.”
• Walk-ins: Welcome, but appointments are preferred.

The Chamber’s official event listing confirms the date, address, hours and booking information. It also identifies the shop as a minority-owned business in the Chamber’s personal services and care category.

Services combine traditional and modern barbering

The shop says its service menu includes precision haircuts, fades, beard trims, hot-towel shaves and personalized grooming. That mix reflects a broader style of barbering that combines familiar shop traditions with current cutting and finishing techniques.

“Our goal is to create more than just a place to get a haircut,” the shop said in the Chamber announcement. “We want to build a neighborhood destination where people feel welcome, look their best, and enjoy an exceptional experience every time clients walk through our doors.”

The public listing says customers can request classic cuts, contemporary styles or a clean razor finish. The business emphasizes consistent results, craftsmanship and personal service. Those are promises customers will ultimately judge through their own experience, but the detailed service list helps people decide whether the shop fits their needs.

Current booking information

Customers can book with Justin Reed, Mitch Beauchamp or Tony LaPorta. The Chamber lists the following contact numbers:

• Justin Reed: 315-272-8517
• Mitch Beauchamp: 315-525-0208
• Tony LaPorta: 315-360-2669

The shop’s Booksy listings currently show examples such as regular haircuts, specialty or skin fades, senior cuts and combined haircut-and-beard services. Prices and appointment lengths can change, so customers should review the live booking page or contact a barber before arriving. People seeking a specific service should also confirm which barber offers it.

What this means for New Hartford customers

The practical benefit is another locally operated option for scheduled or walk-in grooming near the Utica and New Hartford border. Early weekday opening times may help customers who prefer an appointment before work. Saturday hours provide another option for families, students and workers who cannot visit during the week.

Because the shop operates downstairs inside another salon, first-time visitors should allow extra time to find the entrance and confirm accessibility details if needed. The Chamber announcement identifies the downstairs location but does not describe parking, stairs or elevator access. Customers with mobility concerns should call before visiting.

Parents booking for children should confirm the appropriate service, expected appointment length and whether the child needs any special accommodation. Customers seeking beard work, a hot-towel shave or a detailed fade should mention that when booking instead of assuming every appointment slot includes those services.

Questions to ask before an appointment

• Does the selected service include a shampoo, beard trim or razor finish?
• How much time should be reserved for a specialty fade or combined service?
• Are same-day walk-ins available, or is the schedule full?
• What forms of payment are accepted?
• Is the downstairs shop accessible for the customer’s needs?
• What cancellation or late-arrival policy applies to Booksy reservations?

Clear answers can prevent delays and help the barber reserve enough time for the requested work.

A small-business addition to the Mohawk Valley

Independent personal-service businesses often depend on repeat customers and word-of-mouth recommendations. Unlike a one-time retail purchase, a haircut or grooming appointment can become part of a regular schedule. That makes trust, consistency, sanitation, communication and on-time service especially important.

The Reed’s @ 601 opening also adds another business to a shared salon address. A location that brings related services together can make it easier for customers to combine appointments and can help small operators share visibility.

The Greater Utica Chamber regularly uses ribbon cuttings to introduce local businesses and organizations. Recent Phoenix coverage has included Gateway Eye Care’s New Hartford opening, Run of the Mill Liquors in Clayville and Café Canole’s 30th anniversary. Together, those stories show different parts of the region’s small-business economy, from new professional services to long-established neighborhood institutions.

How to choose a barber and describe the cut you want

A photograph is often more useful than a general phrase such as “short on the sides.” Customers can bring two or three reference images and explain what they like about each one. Hair texture, growth pattern and maintenance time may affect the final result, so a barber may recommend adjustments.

For fades, customers should be specific about how high the fade should begin and how short the lowest section should be. For beard work, explain whether the goal is length reduction, reshaping or only cleaning the edges. Anyone using a new product or receiving a hot-towel service should mention known skin sensitivities.

Customers should also ask how often a style usually needs maintenance. A cut that looks sharp on the first day may require frequent visits, home products or daily styling. A realistic plan is often more useful than choosing a look without considering the upkeep.

Friday’s public celebration

The Oct. 16 ribbon cutting is open to local business leaders, customers, friends and members of the community. The announcement does not list giveaways, food or special pricing, so visitors should not assume those will be offered. People primarily seeking a haircut should book separately rather than treating the ceremony as a service appointment.

The event gives residents a chance to see the location, meet the team and learn how appointments work. It also gives the owners an opportunity to explain what they want the shop to contribute to the neighborhood.

Community question: What matters most when choosing a local barber: scheduling, price, consistency, atmosphere, specialty services or something else? Share constructive experiences and recommendations without posting private customer information.