Customers line up early and often for grooming at Hollow Ground Barber Shop on Bloor Street West, a classic shop that offers haircuts and straight razor shaves. It’s a walk-in only operation complete with a jar full of lollipops and a case containing antique razor blades and other assorted shaving paraphernalia on the countertop.
“We got all types of customers,” says owner Beejay Diona. “People from the neighbourhood, people from the GTA, out-of-towners – they know the shop. We’ve got a lot of regulars that have been here from the beginning.”
Beejay even counts regulars that predate the opening of the barbershop. The experienced barber has strong roots in the community; he lived and worked in the neighbourhood for years before opening Hollow Ground in May 2011.
Beejay started out cutting hair as a teenager. He began cutting his friends’ hair and the buzz over his skills led to steady work. Eventually, he realized it was time to branch out and start his own shop.
Word-of-mouth has spread and his clientele has swelled, but the principles of the shop have remained unchanged: each individual is treated to an experience that gives them the full attention they deserve.
“We’re versatile; we’re not just a ‘one-style’ shop,” says Beejay.
