New barber adds buzz to main street
Owners want to help customers through Covid times
With the sound of a buzz from the clippers and with a customer in the chair, the Foxton Barber and Beauty shop opened at 2 Main St recently.
The Barber shop is a threechair service, only one chair is operating at the moment until suitable staff can be found.
Kesh Pillay, owner of the shop, said, “We moved away from the Wellington area to relax from the hustle and bustle of city life and come to an area where we can set up business and enjoy a different lifestyle.
“We want to give back to the community, helping them through difficult times such as Covid so we’re not just here to make money. Price-wise we are helping customers to manage their budget a bit better during these tough times.
“We’re looking at strengthening the relationships and friendships with the people of the community in this way.
“To keep things feasible we will introduce a loyalty card, which is currently being printed. The customer will get $5 off the fifth haircut, and a free one after nine.
“I had stopped working until son Ayann was old enough to
go to kindy. My partner Rakeeb has been a barber for three years.
“He is originally from Fiji and I’m from South Africa.
“In the transition from the Wellington region to Foxton, Covid affected us businesswise and physically as well. After recovery we decided it was time to set up shop here in Foxton.
“We do haircuts for $23, and for seniors that’s only $15, for children $18 and we have a special for people with disabilities:
free,” she said.
“We think this is a win-win situation for the people and us. It’s been difficult getting through Covid and this is our way of contributing to the community,” Pillay said.
Husband and business partner Rakeeb Khan said, “When we were in the Wellington region and working from Upper Hutt, I had a gentleman come in for a haircut and we told him that we were looking to move away to work and live in a more relaxed environment.
“That man was Arjan van der Boon the CEO from Oranjehof Dutch Connection museum in Foxton and when I told him we were thinking of moving to Foxton he gave me his card and said when we come to Foxton have a talk to the local community board members and they will help you get established.
“This we did and it’s good to be able to open here today and to catch up with Arjan again,” Khan said.