Located at 28 Deer St. in Portsmouth, The Groomsmith will host a Grand Opening Event on Saturday, October 27 from 10 am to 4 pm with proceeds from all haircuts to benefit The Chase Home.
The Groomsmith is owned by Reed Maerder, who received his initial training at the New England School of Barbering in Concord, NH and then attended school at TONI&GUY. The event is hosted in partnership with J. Hilburn stylists, Graham Shaffer-Rais and Bill MacDonald.
In addition to proceeds from haircuts benefiting the nonprofit agency, male youth who live at The Chase Home will receive haircuts from both Reed and his brother Zach, who also serves as manager.
For Reed, the opportunity to celebrate their new business and support The Chase Home is “very exciting.”
“I’m happy we can give back to such a worthwhile nonprofit and introduce Portsmouth to what we offer,” he said. “It should be fun.”
At the event, complimentary food and refreshments will be available for guests, courtesy of Ristorante Massimo The River House, Cup of Joe and The Fresh Press. There will also be a variety of raffle giveaways with proceeds to support The Chase Home. An emcee will be present at the event, too, to “liven things up.”
The event is sponsored by Port City Nissan, Kane Insurance, Bangor Savings Bank and RE/MAX On The Move in Hampton. All four businesses have made a financial contribution, all of which will go toward The Chase Home.
Expressing the hope that the event will promote the new barbershop and raise awareness about The Chase Home, Shaffer-Rais said he and MacDonald are excited to be involved in it.
“We can think nothing more empowering than to set up these young gentlemen with the best haircut they’ve ever had by the best talent around,” he said.
Founded in 1877, The Chase Home in Portsmouth is one of the oldest nonprofits in New Hampshire, serving more than 140 at-risk youth annually statewide through prevention, early intervention, residential and community-based programs. Some youth are served in the community while others live at The Chase Home.
“I thank Graham, Bill, Reed, sponsors, and those who wish to remain anonymous, all of whom have come together to plan this great community event,” said The Chase Home Board President Rob Levey. “Events like these can not only change lives, they can actually save them.”
The Groomsmith’s Grand Opening Event will take place on Saturday, October 27 at 28 Deer St. in Portsmouth from 10 am to 4 pm.
To learn more about The Groomsmith, visit thegroomsmith.us. To learn more about The Chase Home, or its upcoming 5th Wine & Chocolate Tasting with major support by Kennebunk Savings and Meredith Village Savings Bank, visit chasehome.org.