Small Business Spotlight: Mercury Dime
- Jun 18
- 7 min read
Updated: Jun 19
There is something special about a classic neighborhood barbershop. It’s not just a place to get a haircut; it’s a community hub, a sounding board, and a reflection of the neighborhood itself. For me, that connection is personal. Brenden, at Mercury Dime, has actually been cutting my hair for over five years now, so I know firsthand the level of craft and care this crew brings to the chair. For the last three years, Mercury Dime has been holding down the vibe on Tacoma Ave S. Formed by a tight-knit crew of barbers who took a major leap of faith together, this worker-owned shop has quickly become a staple of the local community. I caught up with the crew to chat about their journey, their worker-owned philosophy, their incredible space, and their deep roots in Tacoma.
📍 1121 Tacoma Ave S, Tacoma, WA 98402
📞 (206) 231-7507
The Origin Story & Philosophy
The Leap of Faith: A few of you made the move from 6th Ave Buzzards to launch Mercury Dime. What was the exact moment or conversation that made you all say, "Alright, let's actually do this and build our own shop"?
Well, the four of us at that shop worked well together and some circumstances were changing so we slowly began making preparations to open a worker owned shop that gave us more freedom and flexibility
Behind the name: Where did the name Mercury Dime come from? Is there a specific story or meaning behind it?
After going around in circles between us four trying to pick a name Juan coined the Mercury Dime (pun intended) which we all liked. The Mercury dime was a coin produced from 1916 to 1945, which now exceeds its own face value in sheer silver. Haircuts and shaves cost only a dime at one time and we liked the Americana ring it had to it.
The Vibe & Decor: The shop has an awesome, eclectic style. How would you describe the aesthetic, and where do you source the unique decorations and pieces that give the shop its character?
I would say it’s developed into an eclectic mix of rustic bohemian mid century modern styles. Every piece in the shop has been procured from thrift stores and some have been created by us. We also have an assortment of knick knacks and brik-a-brack for sale.
The Long Game: Mercury Dime has been holding down the neighborhood for about three years now. Where do you want to see the five-chair shop go over the next five to ten years?
We plan to stick around as the neighborhood is changing and more businesses and housing are materializing which only helps us and the community in the long run.
DHG View from the Street: This worker-owned model is such a breath of fresh air. You can instantly feel the pride of ownership the moment you step through the door. As Central Tacoma grows and evolves, having a foundational, hyper-local business like Mercury Dime anchor the neighborhood is exactly what keeps our community's character alive.
The Crew & The Craft
Diverse Backgrounds: Every barber brings a different energy and history to the table. What’s a quick snapshot of your journey before you found your home behind a chair at Mercury Dime?
We all have very different backgrounds and there are some strong personalities here but we have made it work well:
Juan Martini: From Argentina, 20 years behind the chair, artist, skater, 80s/90s movie expert, tinkerer, joker and ice breaker.
Brenden Christensen: From Orange, CA, 10 years barbering, musician, thrifter, soda pop sommelier, young grandpa, burger connoisseur.
Amanda Ariola: Tacoma native, 20+ years in the industry, dog lover, live-in church dweller, bike rider, life of the party.
Brandon Davis: Tacoma native, 5+ years experience cutting hair, graffiti artist, vinyl spinning DJ, sneaker head, detail oriented, runs a tight ship.
David Cheyne: From Packwood, Tacoma old head, 10+ years barbering, country boy skater, tinkerer, candy man, father figure.
The Chair Draft: With a tight-knit 5-chair setup, how did you decide who gets what chair? Was there a draft, a friendly argument, or did everyone just gravitate to their perfect spot?
Everyone just graduated naturally, no fights or pulling straws.
Fueling the Passion: What is it about this job that keeps you excited to show up, pick up the clippers, and chat with clients every single day?
I believe we all wholeheartedly love what we do and can’t imagine doing anything else. In this industry there is sometimes a strange attitude of being too cool to be bothered by customers when in reality we are in the service industry to serve the public. Fueling the passion is done by striving to be present, leaving the woes outside, and treating clients with dignity and making friends along the way.
The Secret Sauce: What is one under-the-radar hair care or styling tip that most people don’t know, but absolutely should be doing?
You can use conditioner to remove product buildup and grease, and shampooing hair once to twice a week is better for hair.
DHG Neighborhood Notes: Reading through this lineup, it’s no wonder the shop has such a distinct energy. You've got musicians, skaters, artists, and DJs all sharing a 5-chair space. That kind of eclectic, authentic background is exactly what makes Tacoma so special. It's a hub for creative people who love what they do and bring that passion into their daily work.
The Tacoma Community
Tacoma True: What do you feel Mercury Dime brings to the local Tacoma community that makes it unique compared to any other shop around?
I think having 4 owners over the business who all cut hair here is unique and creates a very laid back environment which clients definitely pick up on. We make our own schedules and come and go as we please. It helps create a good work-life balance and helps redistribute shop responsibilities to make things easier and more financially feasible.
The Client Connection: For you, what’s the best part about cutting hair specifically for the people of Tacoma?
We are honored to be one of many barbershops in town and our philosophy is there are enough heads to go round for every barber to cut in this town. Getting to know the great folks of this town gives us a sense of community and a unique outlook on things from the many conversations we have. There are many connections made here whether it is bartering or spreading the word to help out someone else with something they need.
DHG Around Town: This is exactly why I love doing business in Tacoma. The "enough heads to go around" mindset perfectly encapsulates the local business culture here. It's collaboration over competition, where neighbors genuinely look out for neighbors, share recommendations, and support one another's growth.
The Fun & Personal Stuff
The Barber’s Playlist: Music sets the tone for a good haircut. If you’re the one controlling the shop radio for the day, what kind of vibe or artists are we listening to?
The shop DJ changes multiple times a day, could go from soul, R&B, funk, jazz, hip hop, to country, reggae, ska or classic rock, punk, metal, new wave, garage rock or psychedelic rock to progressive rock or Yacht rock. Steely Dan, ABBA, The Doors, Steel Pulse, The Oh Sees, The Saints, Love, Captain Beefheart, James Brown, Iggy Pop, The Damned, Aerosmith, Johnny Paycheck, Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin, Tiny Tim.
Beyond the Chair: When you aren't at Mercury Dime making the people of Tacoma look sharp, what are we most likely to find you doing?
You can find us enjoying the outdoors by a lake on bikes or camping, taking a dip in the Sound, going to music festivals, small gigs, thrifting, at local restaurants and coffee shops.
Dealer’s Choice: What is one thing you want people to know about Mercury Dime, or about you, that we didn’t think to ask?
We are having our annual Schwing Car Show at the shop on August 9th, cruise on by!
DHG Final Thoughts: A playlist that jumps from Funk to Black Sabbath, mixed with a local car show in August, perfectly captures what makes these guys so "Tacoma". They aren't just running a business here; they are masters of their craft who bring decades of combined master-level barbering expertise to the chair every single day. Whether they are out on the local trails, hitting small music gigs, or catching up with clients in the chair, their genuine investment in this community shows in every cut and every conversation.
The Crew's Go-To Local Spots
When the barbers are off the clock, you can usually find them hanging out, grabbing a bite, or fueling up at these phenomenal neighborhood spots. Be sure to check them out next time you are in the area:
Valhalla Coffee Co. (3918 6th Ave) – A lively, sleek 6th Ave staple that roasts their own top-tier coffee beans right here in town.
Common Ground Coffee (2313 Tacoma Ave S) – A neighborhood favorite cafe serving up incredible coffee and a must-try breakfast sandwich lineup.
Mom’s Bistro (1102 Broadway #100) – Found right downtown, they serve up comforting dishes and some of the best locally loved bagels in the city (the NW Lox bagel is legendary).
Salamone's Pizza (24 N Tacoma Ave) – Bringing authentic, true New York-style slices and Italian specialties straight to the Stadium District.
Jubilee Burgers (858 S 38th St) – A classic, old-school Tacoma landmark legendary for serving up excellent, no-nonsense burgers, fries, and shakes.
Infinite Soups (445 Tacoma Ave S) – A true Tacoma rite of passage. This tiny, cash-only spot features a massive daily rotating menu of homemade soups handwritten on a chalkboard.
Find Mercury Dime at:
📍 1121 Tacoma Ave S, Tacoma, WA 98402
📞 (206) 231-7507
📆Mark Your Calendars: Don't miss their annual Schwing Car Show happening right at the shop on August 9th! Let's get out there and support this awesome local business.
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