Locals in the Loupe: Josh Casselman owner of Kings and Little Ones – Celebrating 5 years in Business!
Congratulations Josh, on your 5th Anniversary. Wishing you many more to come…
1 – Tell us a little bit about yourself. How and when did you decide to open this business?
In the rurals of North Stormont, I grew up working on farms, playing local sports, and spending a lot of time in nature. The families were large and close on both sides with many gatherings. A highlight was the annual poker game at Christmas with ten cent betting and a variety of games, one being Kings and Little Ones. Our family was often in Cornwall for sports, restaurants, shopping and the movie theatre.Born in the late 70s, I watched the Cornwall Royals battle at the Civic Complex and now display a mini-stick and puck at the barber shop. Bikingthe waterfront pathway and swimming at the local beaches has always been a favourite activity. Now with a boat slipped at Marina 200 I can often be found on the St. Lawrence River sipping a coffee at 6 am while fishing before the barber shop opens or pulling a tube full of kids in the evening. After marrying in 2002 and starting a family, we soon moved into Cornwall, closer to our employment and the amenities of the city. In hindsight, opening my own business was a natural progression of life events. My parents taught me to work hard, a Commerce degree provided a foundation in business, customer service was learned as a Financial Advisor with TD Canada Trust, marketing was learned as a Manager with Bell Canada, and through it all I had the love and support of my amazing spouse, close family and friends. In 2014 it all came together with an idea that Cornwall needed a modern barber shop. Many hours of due diligence followed, a plan was formed, execution took over, and on August 1st of 2015 we held a packed house grand opening of Kings and Little Ones barber shop.
2 – What is your slogan?
Hot towel shaves and quality haircuts at a reasonable price.
3 – What is unique about your business?
Our barber shop offers a uniquely rustic environment including a spacious layout, relaxed atmosphere, kids play room and at the core are several skilled barbers. Cold beer, flat screen TVs, arcades, Thomas The Train table, and a friendly barber relationship are a few of the features.
4 – How does your business improve or change the community at large?
Barber shops have long been located in the heart of Downtown Cornwall, but somehow this cultural element had gone missing. Kings and Little Ones has filled this hole, rounding out the available services and providing support to the many other great businesses in the downtown that are focused on our local community.
5. – Define success. Success is wanting what you have, appreciating what you got, and being thankful for it all.
Bonus question: How has the Covid-19 pandemic affected your business?
The Covid-19 restrictions enacted forced our business closed, with 100% loss of revenue, even before the provincial state of emergency was declared. Meanwhile, other businesses, which arguably are not essential, such as fast food, remained open. I applaud the governing bodies for trying to take the correct actions during these concerning times, but I cannot help feeling extremely frustrated with the lack of consistency in some of these decisions.
Thankfully, after nearly 3 months, our business was permitted to reopen with several precautions in place. We are truly grateful for the ongoing support of our customers and could not think of a better way to celebrate than our 5 year anniversary! We are so excited to give all our customers a chance to win in our Draw for a Traeger Pro 575 Grill. Every receipt from our shop will be entered and the draw closes on August 31st! Good Luck everyone!
What is your contact info and how people can find you:
Kings and Little Ones • 231 Pitt Street • 613-935-9112
Open M-F 9-7 pm and Saturday 9-2 pm
www.kingsandlittleones.ca
