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01 — Our Story

125 YEARS OF
TRADITION

You're sitting in the oldest continuously operating barbershop in Wyoming. A chair that's seen over a century of history, conversation, and craft.

The Barber Mafia Neon Sign

~1898

Established

2024

Reborn

125+

Years

In 2024, Kurt partnered with Jacob to rebrand as The Barber Mafia — a nod to the 1930s outlaws like Machine Gun Kelly and Pretty Boy Floyd who once stopped in for haircuts. New name, same legacy.

"In this chair, you're family. And family leaves looking sharp."
Timeline

OUR LEGENDARY
HISTORY

From outlaw legends to timeless cuts — a cornerstone of the community for over 125 years.

~1898

Earliest known photo of a barbershop at this location — the seeds of a Wyoming icon, just before Lovell's official incorporation.

1906

Fred Ostler (Frederick H. Ostler) becomes the first documented barber in Lovell during the town's incorporation year — and even serves on the first town council! One wild tale? A shooting in the chair — after the gunman politely asks the barber to step aside.

1930s

Prohibition era brings legendary status. Outlaws like Machine Gun Kelly and Pretty Boy Floyd stop in for haircuts. Reed Tippitts begins his long career here.

1940s-50s

Known as the Metropole Barber Shop. Reed Tippitts and Henry Cokenhanz serve as longtime barbers. The shop buzzes with classic style and community spirit.

1950s-80s

Reed and Henry continue as core barbers. Gilbert Patrick joins briefly, adding a high-end touch with a new wash station.

1980s-2012

Renamed Clipper Clyde. Barber Clyde Drain runs the shop for decades, keeping traditions alive.

~2012

Kurt Matthew Wheeler (from Laurel, Montana) purchases the shop post-2008 recession after completing his barber training. He rebrands it as Kurt's Cuts, honoring the old-time, no-frills feel.

2024

Jacob Thomas Newman (Lovell High School class of 2016) partners with Kurt. They rebrand to The Barber Mafia — a fun nod to those 1930s outlaw stories — while expanding services, launching products, and planning apprenticeships plus future locations.

02 — Services

THE MENU

Eyebrow trims, ears, and neck shaves are ALWAYS complimentary. That's just the way we do things.

01

The Classic

A full, precision cut tailored to you — fades, tapers, or traditional styles

$22

02

Little Wiseguys

Youth-friendly pricing for the next generation (under 18)

$15

03

Beard Work

Clean up and shape your beard with expert detail

$10

04

Luxury Face Shave

Hot towels, straight razor precision, and a smooth close finish

$35

05

The Full Treatment

Luxury face shave with a haircut. Everything we offer in one sitting

$50

06

Senior/Veterans/First Responders

65 and older, or active/retired service members

$20

Morning walk-ins. Afternoon appointments.

We accept cards, cash, and Venmo. Business House accounts available.

03 — The Crew

MEET THE FAMILY

Two barbers. One vision. A commitment to making sure you leave better than you came in.

The Barber Mafia Team

Two barbers. One vision. No compromises.

KURT WHEELER and family

CEO, Master Barber Stylist

KURT WHEELER

With his wife Tammy and 4 kids

Tap to read bio

CEO, Master Barber Stylist

KURT WHEELER

Kurt Wheeler, originally from Laurel, Montana, has long ties to Lovell through frequent visits to his grandparents and other relatives growing up. His early passions included martial arts, herbology, and outdoor adventures like hiking, camping, and rock climbing. As a teenager, he achieved the rank of Eagle Scout and mentored other youth in the scouting program. After high school, Kurt served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, returning to Laurel where he worked various jobs before enrolling at the Academy of Hair, Skin, and Nails in Billings. He completed 1,500 hours of study and practice, graduating as a Barber Stylist in 2011—the same year he married his wife, Tammy. In November 2012, Kurt moved to Lovell to take over the historic barbershop, one of Wyoming's oldest with roots stretching back nearly 100 years and a colorful past including visits from 1930s outlaws like Machine Gun Kelly and Pretty Boy Floyd. For over a decade, he ran Kurt's Cuts as the sole barber, building the business from the ground up with Tammy handling finances and bookkeeping. When Jacob Newman joined in 2024, the shop evolved into The Barber Mafia, honoring its outlaw legacy while embracing timeless grooming, modern styles, and a warm family atmosphere. At his core, Kurt is driven by family, faith, and a genuine commitment to serving the community—one haircut and one connection at a time.

"Welcome to the Family"

JACOB NEWMAN and family

President, Master Barber

JACOB NEWMAN

With his wife Tandy and 2 kids

Tap to read bio

President, Master Barber

JACOB NEWMAN

Originally from Star Valley, Wyoming, Jacob Newman has deep roots in the Cowboy State. He moved to Lovell in 2012, graduated from Lovell High School in 2016, and served a two-year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (2017–2019) in Barbados. Back home, Jacob earned a chemistry degree and attended the University of Wyoming before heading to barber school in Logan, Utah, in 2022. That move changed his life: he met Tandy, and they married in 2023. In 2024, the couple returned to Lovell, and Jacob partnered with Kurt Wheeler to transform the beloved, historic barbershop—formerly Kurt's Cuts and one of Wyoming's oldest, with a colorful past including 1930s gangster visits—into The Barber Mafia. The rebrand nods to that outlaw history while embracing timeless grooming, modern trends, and a welcoming family atmosphere. Now with 4 years of barbering under his belt, Jacob combines precision cuts, beard work, and straight-razor shaves with his unique chemistry expertise to develop high-quality, all-natural, American-made hair and grooming products. At his core, Jacob is driven by love for his family, unwavering faith, and a genuine passion for making people's lives better—one haircut, one product, one community act at a time.

"Welcome to the Family"

01

Respect

For the craft, the chair, and everyone who sits in it.

02

Precision

Every cut calculated. Every line intentional.

03

Loyalty

Once you're family, you're family for life.

04 — Products

THE ARSENAL

Over 300 products in-store. 100+ soaps. 50+ colognes including Dior, Versace, Dolce & Gabbana, Valentino. All-natural deodorants, beard care, and more.

The Barber Mafia

Featured

Our in-house brand: soaps, sea salt spray, styling powder, shampoo & conditioner

Dr. Squatch

Natural soap for men who don't mess around

Duke Cannon

Oversized bars of American-made soap

The Black Stuff

Irish grooming that hits different

18.21 Man Made

Premium grooming with old-school class

Mountaineer Brand

Beard care crafted in the mountains

Wild Ass Soaps

Handcrafted, no-nonsense bars

Imaginary Authors

Unique, story-driven fragrances

Man Bar

Quality grooming essentials

Stop by to browse. We'll help you find something that works for your style.

05 — Visit

FIND US

The Barber Mafia Logo

218 E Main St

Lovell, WY 82431

Directions
(307) 431-7230

Walk-ins AM, Appts PM

Follow Us
Hours

Mon

8:30-5

Tue

8:30-6

Wed

8:30-5

Thu

8:30-6

Fri

8:30-4

Sat

Sun