By MATT LINDSEY

POTSDAM -- The Barber Shop, 6548 State Highway 56, will offer a second location for haircuts and shaves downtown with the goal of moving permanently to Main Street.

Casey Dillon, a Potsdam High School graduate, will open a second location at 2 Main St. offering afternoon hours Tuesday through Saturday.

“Yesterday (Tuesday) was my first day in the new space,” he said.

Dillon opened The Barber Shop in the spring of 2013, just south of SUNY Potsdam, and will continue seeing clients there until moving for good in about six months.

The six-month transition will allow time for current clients to become aware of his move to new location, he said.

“This was the next step, things are growing, and I want people to know I am an option,” he said.

Being near the center of time is a huge positive to Dillon.

“Most people who go through town travel through this intersection so they will see me,” Dillon said. “And of course there is the foot traffic.”

As part of the transition the business will change its name to Dillon’s Barber Shop in an effort for Dillon associate himself with the shop and get to know the community.

Dillon installed a new sign above the entrance to his 2 Main St. location on Feb. 9 following approval from the planning board at a Feb. 4 meeting.

“I like to do hand-painted signs as I feel it looks more inviting,” Dillon said.

For those concerned about parking issues, other than parking on the side of the street people can park in free parking lots near Key Bank, Ives Park and behind the building near Sergi’s restaurant.

“I feel like I am the most current barber north of Watertown,” he said.

Dillon offers hot shaves, modern fades and tapers and can handle classic haircuts as well.

He works alone but says he hopes to grow his customer base enough to hire another barber.

Dillon received barber training at Shear Ego International in Rochester after military service and opened the shop not long after that.

To contact Dillon, call 261-1843.

“I do not answer my phone during a haircut as I want to give customers my full attention,” he said.

Customers do not need to make an appointment, as the business is walk-in style and first-come first-serve style.