A Thin Line

Hercules Gaines, Jr. has worked all his life, but always for someone else. Evening shifts, high stress, and late nights were part of a daily routine, but now that’s all in the past. “I decided to invest in my life, and learn a trade,” said Gaines. That trade is cutting hair, and Gaines is now working for himself running A Thin Line barber shop in the Harbor Plaza off Northwest Boulevard in Coeur d’Alene. A South Carolina native, Hercules moved to Coeur d’Alene in 2000. After bouncing around service industry jobs, he decided it was time for a change.

“I said to myself, I’m 40, I’m always at the bottom of the totem pole, and it’s time to do something for myself,” said Gaines.

Hercules enrolled at Total Cosmetology in Spokane, and while becoming a certified barber learned the ins and outs of the latest trends, straight razor certification, sanitation, and operating a business. He opened A Thin Line in January, and nine months later is amazed at how his business has grown. “I had no idea I’d be this far along in such a short time,” said Gaines.

A Thin Line wants to be known as a place where everyone is welcomed and respected. When you walk in the door, you’re greeted with a smile and a handshake. There are places to relax, watch TV, and many regulars come in just to hang out and talk about whatever. The shop is family oriented offering kids’ haircuts and a place for the little ones to be entertained while mom or dad is in the chair.

There is a service here for everyone from ladies’ and gentlemen’s haircuts, trims, or a straight razor shave, to intricate designs or mohawks and frohawks for the more bold among us. “I give our customers the haircut they want, not what anyone else wants for them,” said Gaines. Hercules is also a go to source of information for parents of multi-racial children who are having difficulty figuring out the right products and haircuts for their kids.

“No matter who comes in here, you’re going to be respected, you’re going to be comfortable, and you’re going to feel like you’re part of the shop,” said Hercules.

A Thin Line recently helped out with Convoy of Hope and has also become a place to hang out for athletes at North Idaho College. While they’re only nine months in, Hercules is already thinking of opening another location in the area. Starting a new career and becoming your own boss is a risk many are unwilling to take, but to this barber shop owner the reward is now well worth the risk.

“With owning my own business, I’m allowed to be me, which is the best part,” said Gaines. “I like coming to work every day because the people I need to please are my clients who are also my friends.”

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