- THE GREATEST INDIVIDUAL PIECE OF OUR HISTORY, IS THE CUSTOMER. -

Bellevue Barber Shop is located on Main St. in the historic district of Old Bellevue.  Owned and operated by Kurt Hester and Todd Russell, this two chair barber shop has been in the family since 1947 and a contributing fixture in the neighborhood throughout the years.  

The shop itself is small and quaint. The atmosphere, fun and inviting. Our mission is to deliver a professional and quality cut while providing a place from the past where fathers and sons come to bond with each other and their community.

 Opened in 1947 by Ward Russell, the Bellevue Barber Shop soon built up such a reputation for great cuts and conversation that Ward requested the assistance of Norm, his brother, to help out.  Norm subsequently joined him in 1952.  Ward and Norm worked together until 1980, enjoying their time not only cutting hair, but being active in the community.   Sponsoring many local athletic teams and partaking in league bowling at Belle Lanes were their two favorite hobbies, in addition to fishing, crabbing, and hunting of course. 

The brother's helped build the Bellevue High School Stadium, along with sponsoring many other community events. Ward started collecting Bellevue High School Yearbooks in 1942, and was later able to obtain books all the way back to 1924.  The first yearbook was published by a father of one of the three graduating seniors. He owned a press on the Eastside and published the local newspaper. Today, we continue this tradition so future generations will always be able to stop in and reminisce about days ( and hairlines ) gone by.  The older Bellevue Yearbooks from 1924 were recently donated to the Bellevue Heritage Society for everyone in the community to enjoy.

In 1980, Norm invited his son, Vic Russell, to join the family business. All three men: Ward, Norm and Vic, continued to work together until 1984 when Kurt Hester (Ward’s Grandson) joined the family business.  Norm soon retired, with Ward following a year later in 1985.  Kurt and Vic took over the helm thereafter and worked together in the shop for the next twenty six years. In 2010 Vic retired and his son Todd joined the family business.  Now the two grandsons (Kurt and Todd) of the original brothers are working together and plan to do so for another twenty year stint. In 2017 they added a third barber Tim Holman who had his own shop in Eastgate for 30 years.

Kurt Hester, a resident of Bellevue most of his life, has been cutting hair at the shop for thirty five years and enjoyed every one of them.  When not tending the shop, he may be found hunting, fishing, camping or enjoying the Pacific Northwest's backroads on his Harley.  Kurt is happily married of twenty eight  years with two beautiful daughters.  

Todd Russell has been cutting hair for 30  years around the Seattle area and joined the Bellevue Barber Shop upon his father's retirement.  His days off are spent on the golf course, attempting to make par, or at the bowling alley chasing that elusive perfect score.  

Next time you're in the area, even if you're not in need of a trim, stop on in for a little kibitzing and enjoy yourself a tasty, free cup of hot coffee.  You'll be glad you did.