The Clip Joint

Established in 1947, Whitefish’s Clip Joint has weathered a changing valley well.

At the helm of the shop on Second Street are three barbers. Brittney Smith, owner, won best barber in the 2026 Best of Whitefish competition. Her co-worker, Skylar Gustafson, was voted second.

It’s been a long time coming for Smith, who’s been cutting hair since 2009. She started at the Clip Joint around 2013 and took over management from the previous owner, Melissa Franklin, in 2019.

Smith’s family is from Eureka, and she spent time growing up bouncing around several places, from Alaska to Columbia Falls.

Smith said she was inspired by her predecessor, Franklin, and her ability to connect with people over generations, from elderly clients to kids coming back from college. That aspect of the job is the best part of the Clip Joint, she said.

“Everybody feels like a family,” she said. “I love the community aspect. We all take care of each other.”

It extends to her own family. When she started at Clip Joint, her son was two. He spent many years in the shop, and now Smith said it’s not uncommon for him to be recognized by clients around town and on the mountain.

When Smith became owner, it was important for her to keep everything the same.

“I wanted to keep the original owner, Herb Knuth’s memory alive,” she said.

The shop got its start as Herb’s Barbershop, and photos of that era still line the walls.

“Whitefish has grown so much, changed so much,” Smith said. “And keeping the original owner a part of this is something I think people appreciate.”

Smith has two talented co-workers. Gustafson won second place in Best of Whitefish, while a third co-worker prefers to stay anonymous.

Gustafson started working at Clip Joint two years ago. She graduated from Columbia Falls High School in 2022.

Gustafson said she remembers coming into the Clip Joint growing up, while her brothers got their haircuts, and being fascinated with the shop. Later in beauty school, she knew she didn’t want to do women’s hair, she said.

Although, Clip Joint can do women’s cuts at an affordable price.

Adding to the shop’s old school character is that it’s walk-ins only. No appointments creates flexibility that keeps them busy. On a normal day, they’ll do about 10 cuts each. On a busy day, it’s closer to 20 cuts per barber.

The days can be long, standing on your feet for eight hours, but for the barbers, it’s worth it, one cut at a time.

“It’s not just a business — there’s a lot of heart into it,” Smith said.

When it takes a village The Clip Joint has you covered!

-30 isn’t stopping us. Open 10-2 today 💈 🤘🏽

The Clip Joint will be closed for Thanksgiving weekend! We decided to spend some much needed time with our families ❤️ see you all normal buisness hours next Tuesday-Friday 9-5 and Saturday 10-2! Happy turkey day from the clip joint barbershop 🦃

It’s starting to get chilly 🍁 Warm up with a hot shave with Brittney or Quinton. Walk in’s only!

Thank you to our amazing clients for nominating and voting Brittney ‘Best of Whitefish’ for the second consecutive year! I am proud to own one of the oldest businesses in Whitefish. We truly have the best clientele and I am honored to be apart of this amazing community that has supported our business for the last 75 years!

Hot shaves on cold days! Walk ins only 9-5 💈

Haircuts and puppy’s at the Clip Joint! Open today 9-5!