The Barbershop on Gaetz
Posted: Wednesday, June 1st 2011
The Barber Shop on Gaetz is a historical landmark of the downtown. The business was established almost 100 years ago, and has its eighth owner, Selene Fraser, managing the business and taking care of clients. Selene has 26 years experience as a barber, and she credits her longevity and success to loving the people who she helps every day. “Being a barber is a great profession,” she claims, “I just love hearing the stories and jokes from my customers. I meet people from every walk of life, and I love hearing the stories from all of them.”
The shop is unique, it is small and intimate, and you can feel the history in the shop. The throwback styling of The Barber Shop on Gaetz makes you feel like you are in a different time, and the one on one interaction between Selene and Innes and their customers helps build that feeling. “Every customer is a new experience” says Selene, “my customers make this all worth while”.
When asked about her customers, Selene reminisces on a specific memory, of her first Christmas season in The Barber Shop. “We had a customer who came in with his guitar and sang Christmas carols to us all afternoon. It was an unbelievable experience.”
Innes, Selene’s only employee, is a Latvian born Canadian, who knows three languages and has a great sense of humour. “Most importantly, she is an excellent barber, “explains Selene, “she is efficient and professional.
Selene believes the key to the success of The Barber Shop on Gaetz lies in the one on one interaction between the barbers and the customers. “We like to make people feel at home here, and I think we succeed” she explains. “Plus, we are really good at what we do”.
The Barber Shop on Gaetz can be found at 5020 50 Avenue. Selene would like to remind everyone that they will be open during the duration of the Gaetz Avenue Revitalization construction, and there is a parking lot less than a block away. Selene would love to invite everyone down to see the shop, have a chat and get a hair cut.
