FREDERICTON – The owner of a downtown Fredericton fixture says for years men used to pop into barber shops to get a haircut or shave and a drink.
Troy Ashfield decided to make that tradition legal and became the first licensed barber shop in the world.
“The guys were coming in and seeing an old friend, asking what they wanted to do after the haircut. I’d hear ‘Do you want to go for a beer?’ so I decided if I sell beer here, they can stick around and chat,” Ashfield said.
Eighteen years later, other barber shops have caught on. But Troy says selling the beer only covers his liquor license. It’s his way of making his customers feel “at home.”
Troy’s lone employee says she has some clients come in at 9 a.m., looking for their haircut and a beer.
“We don’t get complaints. The guys really love it, they like to come in and if we’re busy, sit and have a beer, sometimes during the haircut, sometimes when they’re waiting, sometimes waiting while their friends get their hair cut,” said barber Shelly Woodcock.
Troy and Shelly assure it’s their skills that keep the customers coming, the beer is an added bonus.
“I put the ‘bar’ in barber shop,” Troy said.
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