People who need a haircut but may not yet be comfortable walking inside a salon have a new option in Guelph now that Freddy’s Hairstyling has opened a chair outdoors under a tent in the backyard.
Freddy’s Cabana Cuts & Lounge is a simple idea, staff set up a tent and brought out a large mirror and extra chair.
“We wanted to let people know there’s an option for people who feel like they are at risk or or not comfortable going inside a salon,” said Gianluca Prigione, one of the seven barbers working at Freddy’s. “This was an idea we thought would help people who want to get a haircut and feel good about themselves but don’t want to come into an environment where a lot of people are in and out.”
Freddy Veri first opened his business in 1962. It moved to its current location on 414 Eramosa Road in 1973.
The large house was built pre-1850 and has a large back yard with two gardens and plum trees.
Freddy died in 2017, but the salon has continued as a family business.
When not in use for hairstyling, the tent can also be used as a waiting area, said Sonia Natoli, receptionist.
“It’s also somewhere they can just sit and wait, because there’s no waiting room inside anymore, so we figured we should have something out and covered,” said Natoli. “It was really hot when we started, so it was a bit of a slow start, but we have had four so far today, so that was pretty good.”
Natoli said one customer came in with two small children on Tuesday, looking for haircuts but was uncomfortable taking them to a business indoors.
“I don’t think they were compromised in any way, but she just didn’t want to take the chance and thought it was great,” said Natoli.
Freddy’s reopened June 12 after being closed due to the pandemic in mid-March. One month later, on July 12, staff began offering the option of cutting hair outside.
Dianne Preston is a client and lives within walking distance of Freddy’s. On Tuesday she contacted the salon to make an appointment with her stylist of choice DeAnna Veri, daughter of Freddy.
“I just called DeAnna and she asked if I wanted to get it cut outside and I said sure,” said Preston. “I haven’t seen anybody else doing this. I think it’s such a great idea.”
DeAnna, who is one of four stylists at the salon, said the idea has worked out really well and she is certain her father would have appreciated the chance to bring in some new customers.
“The one thing he would say is ‘keep that hair away from my garden,’” DeAnna quipped.
