After 50 years in the business, thousands of haircuts and even more stories, Tsawwassen Barber Shop's Ken Scott will hang up his clippers for the final time tomorrow.
One month shy of his 75th birthday, Scott is retiring and turning the shop over to Chad Ballard, who has worked there since 2001.
"I'm ready to go. Fifty years - it's time," Scott told the Optimist while giving long-standing customer Lloyd Jones a final trim this week.
Jones said he has been coming to the 56th Street shop since 1967.
"Ken is a good Saskatchewan boy just like me. He cut my hair just the way I like it, so why would I go anywhere else?" Jones asked. "A lot of scoops and gossip went through here. If you wanted to know something, you came to the barber shop.
"There have been a lot of laughs, lots of memories.
A lot of history has been told here."
Returning home from the navy in 1963, a family friend, who was a successful barber, suggested Scott take up the trade.
"I came here to work for the guy in May of 1966 and was here until August and then he said I'm out of here. I had no place to go, so I bought it and here I am still," said Scott.
In those early days, Scott commuted from his home in Surrey before settling in Tsawwassen with his family in 1974.
His daughter Tawnia recalls returning home from summer vacations where her dad would unload the car, go straight to the shop to check on things and get a couple of haircuts in before dinner.
Scott made many friends and acquaintances during his career. Many young boys have grown up to have families of their own and have brought their sons into the shop to get their first cut.
"I like Tsawwassen. It's a good community. The people, well, there are good ones and bad ones, but the majority are good people," Scott said. "As the community grew, we also grew, so you always maintained a steady flow of clientele."
As one of the longeststanding businesses in the community under the same owner, Scott has seen many changes in the community. The shop was his lifeline and the people he worked with were his backbone.
Helene Morin has worked for Scott for 37 years.
"It has been a privilege to work with Ken. He is the best boss," Morin said. "The community has been great. We get to know them and they get to know us."
Dallas Christiansen retired two years ago after 28 years at the shop. She lives in the neighbourhood and worked part-time at the barber shop.
"It was a great part-time job to have. I met so many great people and Ken is super. He is the reason we all hung around. It was just a special place to work," Christiansen recalled.
Tiana Espenhain is the young one in the bunch, having worked at the shop for the past four years.
"Ken helped me get my career started and I worked here when I was going to school," she said. "I can't thank him enough for that. He has been a pleasure to work for."
Ballard got his first haircut at the shop when he was just two years old.
"Ken's a very nice person. I know I have big shoes to fill," Ballard said.
Scott said Wednesday he plans to enjoy his last few days with his staff before retirement.
"Chad and Tiana, they're young and Helene is going to stay for a few more years. She is a solid rock here," Scott said. "Chad, he's a sharp boy and catches on fast. He is very, very meticulous in what he does, so he'll do fine.
"Really, I just want to say to everyone thank you. It's been wonderful and my pleasure."
