In defiance of Gov. Jay Inslee’s stay-home order, owner Bob Martin cuts a customer’s hair at The Stag barbershop in Snohomish last month. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)

In defiance of Gov. Jay Inslee’s stay-home order, owner Bob Martin cuts a customer’s hair at The Stag barbershop in Snohomish last month. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)

Snohomish’s rogue barber can still be sanctioned, state says

A suspended license, threat of arrest and lawsuits have not been keeping Bob Martin from his customers.

SNOHOMISH — Barber Bob Martin keeps cutting hair and brushing aside attempts by the state to get him to stop.

Starting in early May, customers streamed into The Stag Barber Shop in spite of statewide directives barring barber shops and other nonessential businesses from operating in Snohomish County amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

He continued serving patrons after the state Department of Licensing suspended his cosmetology operator license and served him with a cease-and-desist order for doing business without a salon shop license.

He didn’t blink when a letter arrived from the Snohomish Health District warning the 79-year-old that he could face criminal charges if he didn’t immediately stop giving haircuts.

And he’s not changed his behavior in spite of May 20 correspondence from the Attorney General’s Office saying that unless he complied with the rules and closed within 48 hours, “we will have no choice but to file a lawsuit against you and seek monetary penalties. This is your final warning.”

As of Thursday, Martin hadn’t been arrested or sued, though those are still possibilities.

And the Department of Licensing had not imposed further punishment, such as revoking his barber’s license or fining him $5,000 for every day he operates. Those options are possible, too.

“We will continue with our action as it relates to his unlicensed activity,” agency spokeswoman Christine Anthony said in an email.

The Attorney General’s Office is counsel for the licensing agency. A spokeswoman for Attorney General Bob Ferguson explained in an email that they are letting the regulatory process proceed and legal action is still an option.

“The purpose of our letter was to make Mr. Martin aware of the full scope of potential penalties he could face as a result of his actions,” she wrote. “While our Cease and Desist letter does not specifically reference a consumer protection lawsuit, Mr. Martin could still face a consumer protection lawsuit, just as he remains subject to criminal penalties if he continues to willfully violate the Governor’s Stay Home, Stay Healthy proclamation.”

Initially, Martin was alleged to have violated Gov. Jay Inslee’s stay-home order. That expired May 31, but non-essential businesses like his were not supposed to be open until Snohomish County moved to the next phase of the state’s reopening process. That happened Friday.

Even so, his case won’t be moot, Anthony said.

Martin declined to be interviewed Thursday, referring calls to his legal advisor, Rick Martin of Texas, who is not related.

Rick Martin would not confirm or deny that his client received any of the communiques, including the attorney general’s cease-and-desist order.

“Who’s to say we ever received it?” he said. “We’re not acknowledging we ever received it.”

Bob Martin’s licenses are up to date, he said. Records of the state agency say otherwise.

And Rick Martin insisted the state lacks legal authority to take the scissors out of his client’s hands.

“He is totally legit. We’re not going to pay attention to those scam orders,” Rick Martin said. “You cannot force people to close their businesses.”

Jerry Cornfield: 360-352-8623; jcornfield@herald net.com. Twitter: @dospueblos

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Everett school bus drivers could strike amid contract fight

Unionized drivers are fighting for better pay, retirement and health care benefits. Both sides lay the blame on each other for the stalemate.

Logo for news use featuring Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Man sets fire to two adult novelty shops on Wednesday

Over two hours, a man, 48, ignited Adult Airport Video and The Love Zone with occupants inside.

Records reveal Lynnwood candidate’s history of domestic violence, drug use

Bryce Owings has been convicted of 10 crimes in the last 20 years. He and his wife say he has reformed and those crimes are in his past.

Lowell Elementary School in Everett. (Sue Misao / Herald file)
Everett Public Schools could seek bond to fund new school

Along with the new school, the nearly $400 million bond would pay for the replacement of another, among other major renovations.

A person enters the Robert J. Drewel Building on Friday, Nov. 3, 2023, at the county campus in downtown Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Snohomish County Council pass two awareness resolutions

The council recognized October as Domestic Violence Awareness and Disability Employment Awareness Month.

The inside of Johnson’s full-size B-17 cockpit he is building on Sept. 23, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett man builds B-17 replica in his garage

Thatcher Johnson spent 3 years meticulously recreating the cockpit of a World War II bomber.

A parent walks their children to class at Whittier Elementary on Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett celebrates ‘Blue Ribbon’ award as feds cancel program

The Department of Education canceled the award weeks before Whittier Elementary was set to receive it. No Everett public school had won it in over four decades.

Two workers walk past a train following a press event at the Lynnwood City Center Link Station on Friday, June 7, 2024, in Lynnwood, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Sound Transit weighs possible savings on Everett Link extension

Amid rising costs, the agency could adjust the early design of the Everett Link plan. The proposed changes would not remove stations or affect service levels.

The Washington State University Everett campus on Wednesday, July 25, 2018 in Everett, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett allocates funding toward north Broadway bridge design

The $2.5 million in grant dollars will pay for the design of a long-awaited pedestrian bridge near Everett Community College.

Cali Weber, a marine biology intern for Surface Water Management, scoops the top layers of sand into a sample bag that will be analyzed for forage fish eggs at Picnic Point Park on Sept. 23, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Why scientists search for fish eggs

Data from the fish spawning sites act as a barometer of marine ecosystem health.

Logo for news use featuring Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Snohomish County Council approves North Lake annexation agreement

Residents of the North Ridge neighborhood wanted to be removed from the urban growth area.

Everett businesses join forces to promote downtown nightlife

A group of downtown businesses will host monthly events as a way to bring more people to the city’s core during late nights.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.