A2

Heather Harris

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It is the rare exception when you walk by Scissors & Comb Barber Shop in Riverview Mall and see an empty chair. And it is even rarer when owner Pat Rocca is not at his usual station, smiling and bantering with his loyal clientele of all ages.

This familiar sight will soon disappear as Pat is retiring and closing the doors of Scissors & Comb Shop for the last time.

By every measure, Scissors & Comb is considered a traditional Barber Shop. In a world where everything changes quickly, the old fashion barber shop remains an example of traditional business practices. Many customers stay with the same barber for life.

Born in Italy, Pat came to Canada as a young man. Once he learned to speak English, he chose an occupation dating back to the ancient Romans.

Pat began his career at the Capital Barber Shop on Main Street. A year later, he opened Razor's Edge where he worked for five years before selling and moving to Riverview. After 35 years at the Scissors & Comb, Pat has established a devoted following and become an institution in the Riverview business community.

"Cutting some people's hair for 40 years, they have become more like friends than customers", says Pat. "It has been a very difficult decision to leave both the business and my customers. Some families have been my customers for three generations.

"I started years back doing the father's hair, then the son's hair and now I cut the grandchildren's hair. I gave some of them their first haircut. It's really sad to leave."

It will be equally sad for Pat's dedicated customers who travel far and wide for his unique dry hair cuts.

One customer has traveled from Amherst to have Pat cut his hair since 1969, another pops in from Toronto every time he is in the area.

Recalling his most memorable customers, Pat thoughtfully responds, "Mac MacLeod", longtime member of the NB Legislative Assembly and interim leader of the PC Party from 1987-1989. Mac's son, Robert MacLeod, carries on the family tradition, traveling from Sussex to have his hair cut by Pat.

In his 40 years of cutting men's hair, Pat stayed current with the latest trends while continuing to provide more traditional hair cuts preferred by many of his customers. Over the years, he has seen many hair styles comes and go.

From long locks and shaggy tresses to the shaved head, from the messy shag to short and cropped, from the mullet to spikes, from the brush cut to the bowl cut, Pat has seen (and cut) it all.

From your colleagues in the Riverview business community and your many customers, "ciao" for now Pat Rocca. We wish you well in your retirement.

* The Inside Track is provided on a monthly basis by the Downtown Riverview Business Association, and is written by DRBA manager Heather Harris.