St. Joseph barber offers free and festive haircuts for kids this Christmas

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) -- A longtime local barber is spreading Christmas cheer this season as old St. Nick himself, offering free hair cuts to kids as part of a unique and festive experience.

K.C.'s Barbershop and lead barber K.C. Blanchard held a special holiday haircut experience on Tuesday, offering surprise hair cuts free of charge for any kid who walked in, all while dressed as Santa.

Blanchard, a barber for the last 18 years, opened the new business this April in the Green Acres building on North Village Drive and has seen notable growth in the time since, using holidays to offer memorable experiences for young customers and families.

"Have you heard anyone say 'I got my hair cut by Santa as a kid?'" Blanchard, a St. Joseph native, said with a smile. “It's just fun. It's fun for the kids. It's fun for me and an all around good time."

Local parent Kelsey Matthias and her boys -- including young Emmett Matthias -- have been coming to K.C.'s barbershop for the last six months and couldn't miss out on the chance to see their regular barber in a jolly big red suit on Tuesday. Blanchard even grew out a real beard to make the Santa costume more authentic.

“It was a highlight of the holiday season. But I definitely think it's awesome for the community because I've seen a long line ever since I got here,” Kelsey said.

Between candy canes, holiday tunes and Christmas movies playing on TV, Blanchard set out to create as festive an experience as a kid could possibly have at a barbershop.

"I've had a couple kids that are Santa scared. But turnout has been pretty solid, a lot of new people plus a lot of my regulars, and everything has been a lot of fun," he said.

The barbershop is located at 3500 N. Village Drive, Suite 162, in north St. Joseph. The business offers walk-in appointments, as well as online booking through their mobile app and online at app.thecut.co/barbers/KC-Blanchard-kbdf1xg.