Walter T’s Grooming Company opened on July 19th. 2022 in Waterfall Plaza on Dixie Highway. We are so proud to open this new business as a mother-son duo. As a single mother, I raised Zac in Clarkston where he was a graduate of Clarkston High School and we are so excited to pursue this new adventure together.

Prior to opening Walter T’s, Zac followed in his father’s footsteps and became a barber, he was working at a barbershop in Ferndale. I’ve worked in the credit union industry for 23 years. We had always talked about Zac opening a shop one day, but it wasn’t until recently that we started discussing it seriously. In late 2021, we decided to see what it would take to open a shop in the area. You never know until you check it out right? We hired a local realtor and started looking at leases and/or property to buy in the area. A couple of places fell through, but we were in no hurry.

Then we found the perfect space. A former salon with all the plumbing and a great floor plan right in Waterfall Plaza. I grew up in Independence Township and I frequently shopped in Waterfall Plaza and at Waterfall Jewelers, we ate at Wing Lauk’s growing up, and I worked at Village Place in high school. We decided to go for it and we got it!

Next came the name and game plan. We wanted a classic name, kicked many around and we found it right in the family. Walter T is my father, Zac’s grandfather. Born Toivo Walter Herrala. a Finn from the Upper Pennisula, he was named after his father. At 18 years old, he joined the Army and legally changed his name to Walter T Herrala. He loves to hunt, golf, and loves spending time with his family.

Walt turned 80 this year as we celebrated our Grand Opening in August. He is a former Clarkston resident and business owner. He retired from GM and was a licensed MI builder. He built many decks, additions, garages, and sheds in the Clarkston area. Thankfully he consented to the use of his name and is very proud of his daughter and grandson. Walt and Susan currently live in Florida and have been married for 56 years!

We didn’t want to open a typical barber shop. We wanted to combine the feel of more urban barbershops, like the one where Zac was working and others, with our own unique ideas. We wanted a vintage vibe, a place where guys can get a quality haircut, relax, and hang out. It was also very important to hire extremely talented barbers and stylists that we could collaborate with and create a unique experience for our clients.

Our appointments are a minimum of 30 minutes which includes a haircut, style, complimentary beverage, and a hot towel neck shave. We specialize in men’s haircuts, beard trims, fades, and shaves. Other amenities include a pool table, steel tip dart board, TVs, and a chess set. We offer online booking to avoid the wait and currently have 3 experienced barbers Zac, Jordan, and John with room for more as we grow.

With the help of our family, friends, and my brother Kevin, we’ve created an amazing space for our clients. Our shop has been open 3 months now and we appreciate the outpouring of support, rave reviews, friends bringing gifts and donating time or supplies, it’s truly overwhelming. We have learned that being in business is being in a state of constant evolution and we are continuing to work hard as things fall into place.

Walter T’s Grooming Company. It’s not just a haircut, it’s an experience.