COVID-19: Yaletown barber turns to digital haircuts to greatly help hopeless clients

Article Sidebar

Share this tale: COVID-19: Yaletown barber turns to digital haircuts to greatly help clientele that is desperate

Trending

Content articles

Farzad Salehi really wants to offer you a haircut nearly since defectively since you need one. But until circumstances modification trueview mobile, the Yaletown barber is only able to provide the next smartest thing: You cut your hair, and he’ll watch.

The COVID-19 pandemic shuttered Farzad’s Barber Shop in March, along side barbershops and salons all around the globe. A fter 8 weeks in quarantine, apparently everyone is in need of a trim.

COVID-19: Yaletown barber turns to haircuts that are virtual assist hopeless clients back once again to video clip

“I’ve got dudes messaging me personally: Hey, would you do any undercover haircuts?” Farzad said Tuesday, with a laugh.

He does not. Farzad’s will remain shut until wellness officials state therefore. But Yaletown’s Happy Barber does virtual haircuts.

Farzad’s Barber Shop started in Yaletown in 2005, ten years after Farzad fled Iran for Canada. He has got since founded himself in Vancouver as being a master by having a straight razor — a regional socket once called his hot shave “a sybaritic indulgence.”

That’s off the table for now, because of distancing that is social. But he is able to talk you through it on Facetime.

Advertisement

Articles proceeded

Farzad’s first haircut that is“virtual arrived whenever a longtime customer reached away for help with beard maintenance in mid-April. The area barber stepped him by way of a trim over video chat, and after partner Shelley posted pictures to Farzad’s Twitter web page, there came another demand — this time around from a guy the few came across quickly throughout a bike journey through Washington state year that is last.

“I’m writing because our locks situation is wanting grim,” said David Nixon, a science that is political at the University of Hawaii.

Nixon happens to be after the barbershop on Facebook from the time the possibility conference, sufficient reason for his son that is 17-year-old in need of the haircut, the American educational reached out.

Ad

Content articles proceeded

Farzad ended up being pleased to oblige, and Nixon’s son had been hopeless adequate to allow their dad cut their locks. The appointment that is virtual invest Nixon’s living area last Thursday.

“I’ve never cut hair during my life, so props to my son who had been happy to submit for this,” said Nixon, whom declared the haircut that is virtual success — at least for the time being.

Joe Nixon gets a haircut from their dad David, with the aid of Vancouver barber Farzad Salehi. Screenshot / Facetime

“Perhaps my son’s recounting of this story will morph in to how his dad butchered their locks through the COVID-19 pandemic, however it are going to be a hot memory nonetheless,” he stated.

Nixon wanted to pay money for the haircut, however for Farzad, the feeling ended up being sufficient.

“Some individuals could make money in the home,” he said. “I can’t. Nonetheless it does not imply that we can’t look online and spend one hour having a great time with someone around the globe. I don’t cost them.”

Ad

Content articles proceeded

The pandemic has hit regional companies like Farzad’s difficult. The Vancouverite’s regular consumers have actually held their longtime barber afloat, but, by spending now for haircuts later on.

Joe Nixon got a haircut from his dad David, with the aid of Vancouver barber Farzad Salehi. Handout / David Nixon

“I don’t ask people,” he stated, “but We have numerous clients — they’re purchasing 10 prepay haircuts, 20 prepay haircuts. Final thirty days, we paid our rent through the cash they provided me with.”

Farzad is finding your way through the ultimate reopening by ordering more powerful disinfectant for their tools, and a cup shield when it comes to front desk. The master shaver said he’s happy to keep offering free, virtual haircuts in the meantime. He already has another visit booked for Wednesday.

Ad

Content articles proceeded

Ahead of the lockdown, Farzad invested Sundays providing free haircuts in Oppenheimer Park, in which he is pleased to locate one other way to subscribe to their community during the lockdown.

“I arrived to the country with 100 bucks in my own pocket,” he said. “I worked hard for (Farzad’s) but the chance had been here doing it. And I will be a lot more than very happy to. if we give one thing back into these individuals, to personal town, to personal country,”

The Yaletown barber warned to not ever expect excellence, nevertheless. He’s only there in character.

“I let them know right from the start: this is simply not the haircut that your particular barber is providing you with,” he said. “It’s perhaps perhaps not likely to seem like that.”