If you pop in for a haircut, each barber at The Cutters Barber Shop on Tantalus Road can offer you a two-fer.
In addition to being veteran barbers, Janet Martinsen and Danielle Childs hold a wealth of history.
Martinsen knows more about Squamish's past than most in town. Childs is a wealth of local knowledge, too, and she has an encyclopedia level of hockey history in her brain.
Cutters celebrates 45 years in operation this month. When they first opened, they were at another location for about six months.
This August will mark 45 years at its current location, which, not surprisingly, is also a community hub and mini-museum.
There are pictures from The Cutters' 30-year anniversary, from fundraisers—which the pair often host—and items commemorating various special moments over time, such as the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics and Paralympic Games.
Customers, too, have given gifts that are on display, such as a Paddington bear from the Paddington station in London, a Toronto Maple Leafs cap given to Childs (the first team she cheered for, before the Vancouver Canucks), and several antique barber items.
How it started
The business partners have seen a lot of change in Squamish over the years.
"When we came here in 1980, it was traditional industries and the old families who have been around for generations. We're glad we came here at that time to meet all the families," says Martinsen.
" [And glad to get] to know the loggers and other people who worked at the mills and so on. It was a little bit of a redneck town, but in a nice way, you know? Just good old boys."
The pair joke that they could write a book about their first 20 years in operation, but they’d have to change all the names to protect the men's reputations.
With so many new families moving in, the pair delight in sharing the town's history with customers.
There were no stop lights back when they first opened, they recall, just stop signs. There used to be a sign posted at the entrance to town that gave the community’s population.
The duo remember when it changed from 8,000 to 10,000—a big milestone at the time.
The population was according to data from British Columbia Municipal Census Populations. The estimated current population of Squamish is .
In the intervening years, families have grown and evolved, with members sitting in The Cutters' chairs along the way.
With some families, the barbers have seen four generations of men and boys.
"It's not just a barber shop," says Childs. "You learn a lot about people, their families—their wives, their kids, and all the stuff they go through."
Martinsen says one thing they love about their jobs is how educational it is to have so many people with different opinions in their chairs.
"We both learn so much from our customers. We gain knowledge, not just of Squamish, but you know, their opinions about things," she says. "Getting other people's ideas about stuff, that educates you."
They have been with their clients and the town through its downtimes, too, like the mill closures and end of 小蓝视频 Rail when it was divested in the late 90s, and early 2000s.
"That broke our hearts," Martinsen says.
"It was slow until the Olympic announcement," Childs adds.
Sisters
Martinsen was born and raised in Delta, while Childs is originally from Falher, Alberta.
The women met in the early years of their careers at Guildford Town Centre in Surrey.
Both were cutting hair at shops on opposite ends of the mall.
“I worked on the Eaton’s side, and Danielle was on the Woodward’s side and then I had to fill in for somebody on holidays. And that's when we met.”
They heard barbers could make a lot of money in Prince George so headed up there.
Eventually, of course, they wound up in Squamish.
Asked about their relationship, which has stood the test of time, Martinsen says they are more like family.
“She's my little sister,” she says, as Childs automatically puts her arm out for her as they pose for a picture.
Hair through the ages
The pair recall that when they started cutting hair, in the 70s, long hair, was in.
“In the mid-70s and disco and all of that," Martinsen recalls.
"Every decade there was a different style that the kids were going into."
There was the spikes and then the Billy Ray Cyrus mullet era.
Childs says it is funny now when kids come in and ask if she has ever done a mullet.
"Yes, we've done a few," she says, with a laugh.
Martinsen noted now the mullet is less "crass” than back in the day.
"Now it's just having nice hair blended into a longer back," she says.
Giving back
The barbers have always worked to give back to the community, previously volunteering to cut hair for residents of Hilltop House, and with fundraisers over the years for various charities, such as the Drivers for Cancer Program and MediCar.
There is a big jar on the counter to collect cash and they will have another one-day fundraiser in the spring, for animal rescue. (Stay tuned for that, they say.)
"We've just enjoyed it,” Martinsen says of the pair’s ongoing efforts to support various causes.
“We are very community-minded people," she adds.
"We just love Squamish and that's it."
The pair's lease is coming up for renewal and they plan to renew for five years.
"After the end of that it'll be 50 years, and I think we'll be ready," says Childs, looking over at Martinsen.
Both smile.
“I think we will,” Martinsen says.
If you want an appointment with The Cutters' barbers, call (604-898-3237) or pop in.
