ARTHUR — Barber Adam Tabal is bringing the art of men's haircuts to Arthur and soon to be the rest of Wellington North.
Opening his sixth barbershop at 106 Charles St. E. two weeks ago, the Milton resident said he was inspired to open the Arthur Barbershop because he feels passionate about serving local communities and noticed the area didn't have a business specifically for male haircuts.
Tabal's goal for the Arthur location? Every customer leaves with a smile.
"I don't need people to drive far away, especially in winter, to get their kid's hair cut, to get a men's haircut," said Tabal. "I'm trying to open as many small-town locations as I can."
Right now, Tabal's Arthur location has two chairs and two barbers: Tabal and his apprentice, Mount Forest resident Brendan Towell. A third chair is likely on the horizon.
Specializing in haircuts for men and boys, the barbershop also offers specific services like beard-trims, ear and nose waxes and facials which Tabal hopes will make the location a go-to spot for Arthur residents considering the area's limited options.
"In my experience, since a barbershop only cuts men's hair, we're going to be more skilled with men's hair, haircuts tailored for men, " said Towell. "It's also about the experience. I used to go to salons when I was a kid and I'd just be surrounded by a bunch of old ladies with curlers on their heads."
The Arthur shop is Tabal's second location in Wellington County; he previously opened Timex Barbershop in Hillsburgh in 2024. Tabal said he intends to open another location in Mount Forest in the next couple of months.
So far, Tabal said public reception has been super positive and he served 17 walk-in customers the first day they opened.
"Some people, they already knew me from my other locations before they moved to Arthur," said Tabal. "Now they come here and they find me again for a haircut."
A barber with over 28 years of experience, Tabal said he comes from a family of barbers and started out sweeping the floors for his brother before picking up the clippers for the first time.
When asked why he believes it's important for there to be a barbershop option in small towns like Arthur, Tabal said barbershops are about the male experience and provide special services that unisex hair salons can't always provide.
"A barber is different from a hairstylist," said Tabal. "I call places like First Choice last choice because what a man gets there is completely different than my haircuts. My haircut has a perfectly clean shape."
Isabel Buckmaster is the Local Journalism Initiative reporter for GuelphToday. LJI is a federally-funded program.
