What kind of place is this?
It’s a place where people get haircuts.
Sometimes people come in once in a while. Sometimes as frequent as every 2 weeks.
It’s located in downtown Calgary. Right in the heart of it.
A block away from the Calgary Tower, around the corner from the Fairmont Palliser, a few steps from Stephen Ave.
It’s inside one of the most iconic sandstone buildings in Alberta—maybe even North America.
The floors are still original. There’s a bit of a musty smell from a century of existing.
There’s a sketchy elevator that once was the first in the city.
Creaky wooden floors. Some say it’s haunted. We neither confirm nor deny.
But despite all that, it offers a kind of calmness and familiarity that feels a little removed from the hustle outside.
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I didn’t really dream of having a shop.
When COVID happened I wanted to change careers. I wanted a change.
I almost became a forensic psychologist. Haha.
Owning a business always felt… not for me.
Too big. Too risky. Too much responsibility.
I used to say I was too lazy for something like that.
If it wasn’t for timing—and a bit of luck—it’s not something I would’ve chosen to bet the next 5–10 years of my life on.
But then Cara told me she was closing the shop. Moving away.
She asked if I wanted to take over.
That’s when something shifted.
I started imagining what kind of place this could be.
And then I couldn’t stop thinking about it.
It got loud enough that I had to do something.
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I didn’t want to build just another shop.
I wanted a place people could feel at home in.
Somewhere they could belong without having to explain themselves.
A place where you’re not just getting a good haircut—
but where you feel listened to, appreciated, even celebrated.
There’s already enough spaces that feel transactional.
Rushed. Extractive.
I didn’t want that here.
I wanted something slower.
Something with roots.
Something that could quietly grow into a staple in the community.
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You would always hear a greeting when you come in, with an offering of a drink and snacks.
On your way out, a goodbye with a smile—and a promise to give me a review.
Only 5 stars though! —Gabby would say jokingly.
Music depends on the mood.
Sometimes R&B, old 2000s music, indie. Other days, something more lively.
You’d hear the hum of clippers and the snipping of scissors.
Tala snoring on the couch—or barking at the mail person or whoever dares knock at the door.
Mind you, sometimes you’d also hear the snores of someone getting a hot towel shave.
The barbers move around the chairs. Sometimes almost bump into each other.
But they always somehow miss.
Some people come once in a while.
Some come every two weeks.
After a bit, it starts to feel familiar.
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I’m writing now because I want to document and share our story.
Even if no one reads it.
I want to be able to look back and say,
hey, we had a good time.
We met so many incredible people.
We went to so many beautiful places.
It’s a way to show pride in our work and appreciation for all the support we received.
And also a reason to insert cute photos of Tala, our shop dog.
Maybe she’ll even have her own blog series someday.
Maybe one day I’ll reread all of this and laugh at how sentimental I sounded.
But I think I’m okay with that.
<3
-G
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