Blade Haven Barber Company

Cutting Hair, Building Community

Christopher Leiva spent his early years cutting hair at various hair salons before moving into the barbershop side of the industry, a shift that changed how he thought about running a shop. He wanted a space that felt accommodating and family friendly, something he carried into the barbershop he opened in Middlesex in 2021.

Chris Martinez started cutting hair after high school, originally just to fix his brother’s bad haircuts. What began as a side project alongside his studies grew into a full time career once he met Leiva. The two worked together for a year before Leiva opened his Middlesex shop, where Martinez spent the next several years building his craft.

Leiva, who has family ties to Hillsborough, saw an opportunity in the town’s close knit community. Martinez, who grew up nearby in Flemington, felt the same connection. Together they decided to bring what they had built in Middlesex to Hillsborough, opening Blade Haven Barber Company and marking the occasion with a grand opening that offered free haircuts to the community.

At Blade Haven, every barber is trained to handle any style or cut, so customers can feel comfortable in any chair, not just with one specific barber. The team also places a strong emphasis on continuing education, regularly hosting and attending courses and industry events to stay current on technique.

Community involvement remains central to how Leiva and Martinez operate. They have hosted a Barber Jam, a networking event drawing barbers from across the East Coast, and plan to bring Middlesex traditions like back-to-school giveaways and holiday food and toy drives to Hillsborough.

Outside the shop, both are devoted soccer fans. During the 2026 World Cup, Leiva and another barber from their team had the opportunity to cut hair for members of the Moroccan national team while the squad trained nearby in Berkeley Heights, a memorable moment as they settled into their new Hillsborough location.

For Leiva and Martinez though, the bigger story is closer to home. Their focus has always been on creating a place where people feel comfortable, welcomed, and taken care of, one haircut at a time.