THERE ARE LINEUPS for trims, cuts and styling at the flagpole in New Toronto as people cannot wait until a June 30 opening. Photos by Tom Godfrey.
BARBER Andy Dinner performs a trim on a customer as some fans look on in New Toronto.
The large flagpole at Lake Shore Blvd. and Eighth Street has been a low-keyed place for many guys to go to get a much-needed haircut recently as they wait for businesses to open up.
People have been showing up at a little parkette near 2974 Lake Shore Blvd. W. to get a cut, thanks to some area barbers.
Most barber shops, gyms, massage, tanning salons and other businesses are not allowed to reopen until June 30 due to COVID-19. Many have been shut for a year.
The hair stylists say they are forced to use the parkette to work since they have to pay rent, mortgage and their bills, without an income coming in.
Some businesses that will be permitted to open include personal care services such as hair and nail salons where face coverings can be worn at all times at 25 per cent capacity.
Outdoor dining will also expand from four to six people to a table.
Non-essential retail, without a storefront or street access entrance, will be able to resume. Also at 25 per cent capacity.
“We are fully booked up and we are not allowed to work in the shop,” said Andy Dinner, of Your Neighbourhood Barbershop. “People are lining up for trims, haircutting and styling work.”
Dinner said customers have make appointments and some have been waiting for days.
“We have been doing this for a couple days because we can’t go inside,” Dinner explained. “I am booked up for the next month.”’
He is in the process of helping some area businesses with the approximate $9,000 in cash raised from a recent Go Fund Me campaign to help them stay afloat.
Dinner set out to raise $4,000 to help with his rent and promised what’s left over will go to help area small businesses.
“We have helped a number of small businesses so far,” he said. “The businesses do not want to be identified because they are concerned they will have to pay more taxes.”
One man waiting in line says he recently moved into the area and required a quick haircut because of a new job.
“I just moved here from Vancouver and saw Andy’s name online and booked an appointment,” the man said. “He is supposed to be a good barber from the online reviews.”
His hairstyling service has been left untouched by many passing police vehicles and officials of the local Lakeshore Village Business Improvement Association. ( BIA).
“They (police) know that we are only trying to survive and keep our businesses open,” Dinner said. “Many people, including the police, do want our service.”