2021 City Photographer, Helene Cochaud: A retro looking barber shop unremarkably declares itself on a Fairfield suburban street corner. Unsure how I will be greeted showing up unannounced with my camera, I need not worry as the owner, Tony, is happy to chat while he works.
Tony has had his barber shop, Sammy & Son, since 2000. The original owner, Sammy, passed away in 1996 when his son took over for a while. Sammy started the business in 1956 in Hamilton St and although the shop moved a few times over the years it has never left Fairfield. Loyal clients keep coming back to Sammy & Son; Tony still cuts two elderly gentlemen who have been clients since Sammy's early days.
"I enjoy coming in the morning and opening my shop."
Tony has been a qualified, licensed barber for a long time. He migrated to Australia in 1992 from Lebanon and trained both there and here. As Tony skillfully welds his scissors I talk to his client sitting in the barber's chair. He has been coming in for ten years and when asked what makes him come back, he responds with a simple answer: "Tony delivers what I want".
"That's what everyone says, you got a good hand."
A pie oven sits oddly on the front counter with drinks in it - which, I find out, is the safest place so hairs don't fall in. The walls are decorated with aged postcards from all over the world. Tony explains that a good friend who used to work on cruise ships would send them to him. Over time his customers started doing the same.
"I try and make it simple with no extra cost for the customers."
Tony believes in good traditional values. He runs his successful business in a convivial, no-frills way creating a friendly environment. As Tony is clipping and snipping he chats interestedly to his customers. In the background a radio plays easy listening music. I notice the absence of phones ringing, unlike most hairdressers I go to. Sammy & Sons has a no-appointment policy; everyone knows to take a seat and wait their turn.
"..less headache, less stress, because the more you stress less, the more I give good service."
PhotographerHelene CochaudGeolocation[1] Cnr Ware & Sackville Street, FairfieldNotesThese photographs are part of the 2021 City Photographer project.
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Image ColourColourTypeDigitalCopyrightPartial restriction. Please contact Fairfield City Heritage Services for image use.AcknowledgementHelene Cochaud, 2021 Fairfield City Photographer. Image courtesy of Fairfield City Heritage Collection.
