Richie’s Barbershop Wins 1st Place SB for 11 Years!

Richie’s Barber Shop has won first place for the eleventh consecutive year in a row as the Best Barbershop in Santa Barbara according to public voting in the annual Santa Barbara Independent’s poll! 

We are definitely Montecito proud on this remarkable but not necessarily surprising win – an award so richly deserved and rooted in the shop’s owner Richie Ramirez’ most humble beginnings – which I covered when I started writing for the Montecito Journal, 15 years ago. 

Richie started his career as a barber at Montecito Barbers in the Montecito Country Mart. When I interviewed him then, his dream was set on owning his own barbershop. He put in the dime and the time for his Coast Village Road location. Next, with his first barber Lex [Alexis Dakin], he added a team of amazing mostly female barbers starring Jessica Jay. With that shop established and going well, he opened a second location in Isla Vista to serve the local college students, currently managed by Mariay Tsushima. 

Richie is generous to those in need and practices paying it forward via his shops’ massive holiday donation campaigns for local nonprofits like Domestic Violence Solutions, Adam’s Angels, and animal rescue centers. His Montecito barbers frequently go to the Friendship Center Montecito to give fresh haircuts and “looks” to seniors during special events. They also do “house calls” for clients. 

The Montecito shop’s annual all-out decorations and celebration of Halloween for Ghost Village Road and donation boxes for the Christmas holidays are living proof of his continued involvement in the local welfare of our town. Lest we forget – one year his entire team’s Halloween costumes were in emulation of Richie, including his beard and hair! 

A unique part of his persona is his devotion to staying healthy by eating well and regular workout routines. A long-time devotee of mixed martial arts and weightlifting, Ramirez won the Gold Medal in the 2024 World League Jiu-Jitsu event and has won medals and belt levels in Muay Thai, including training in Thailand. That influence of working out is also common ground for his team, who each have their workout routines from weights to 10,000 steps. And he has even been a fashion model!

For his eleventh award, I reached out to him for a quick interview and here is what he shared:

Q. What do you do to keep the quality up at both of your shops?

A. I can maintain high-quality service at both locations thanks to my incredible team. My manager, Mariay, in Isla Vista, is a strong presence and is there most of the time, catering specifically to our college clientele. Meanwhile, I’m in Montecito five days a week, and my team, especially my barber Lex, ensures everything runs smoothly in my absence. I believe it’s this consistent hands-on approach that helps us uphold the quality across both shops.”

What keeps you inspired in your business?

My inspiration comes from a variety of sources. First and foremost is our incredible community, whose strong support motivates me to give my best every day. I’m also excited by the ever-evolving trends in our industry. I strive to avoid stagnation and keep things fresh. Additionally, my diverse team inspires me, as our different backgrounds and perspectives fuel creativity and innovation. The drive to stay engaged and active in the community truly keeps me motivated and energized!

How many barbers do you have on staff at Montecito? And at Isla Vista?

Ten at the Montecito shop, and 10 at the Isla Vista shop.

Knowing how much you love island getaways, do you plan to open up a third location – Fiji, Greece… Hollywood?!

I’m open to growing my brand! Anywhere on the California coast…

What’s one piece of advice you would give to new business owners seeking success? 

My advice to new business owners is to invest the necessary time and effort, especially in the early days, which often means long hours. It’s crucial to lay a solid foundation. Additionally, focus on building a strong team; without my dedicated team, I certainly wouldn’t be where I am today.  

Upon winning his award, Ramirez posted on social media, “A heartfelt thank you to everyone who cast their votes! It’s our incredible community that has helped us achieve the title of Best Barber Shop for 11 consecutive years. Thank you for 15 years in the business!”

411: @richiesbarbershopsb and @richiesbarbershopiv