The Bathroom Barber Looks to Expand Outside of the Stall

BY ZOE MACDIARMID and WILLIAM BROWN

This school year, a student hairdresser has taken up work in the second floor boys’ bathroom. Known to customers as “The Barber,” this anonymous student has been cutting hair during period four since October.

Now, in March, an influx of loyal clientele has allowed him to hire a small staff and operate from periods one through five. The Barber says he is looking to create a space on campus where he can cut his peers’ hair.

“At first, this was just a way for me to get out of class and practice my hair cutting skills,” said The Barber while cutting a student’s hair. “But now it’s evolved into so much more.”

The Barber’s staff includes two other hairdressers, a receptionist, and four lookouts. The two other hairdressers are scheduled at different times so someone is always staffing the salon. There is always a lookout outside the bathroom to alert anyone inside of administrators or teachers who suspect trouble.

“It feels so rewarding to be a part of this,” said one of the lookouts, senior Winson Itall.

However, The Barber was not an overnight success. The first few cuts he did at Wilde Lake were free for customers. “It all started on a dare,” said the barber. “Me and my friends just wanted to see if we could get away with it – and we did.”

From there, the barber says he started inviting his friends to come during the fourth period to get their hair cut. This time around, he began charging five dollars. “Again, I was just trying to see what I could get away with,” said The Barber. “But when people were so willing to pay, I started thinking, ‘What if I ran this like a business?’”

The Barber quickly generated interest, says sophomore and frequent customer Moe Ron. “Honestly, paying only five dollars felt like taking money from him,” said Moe. “He’s the only barber who knows how to style my hair.”

Now, between the three barbers, at least twenty boys get their hair cut or styled everyday. The word has spread to the girls, some of whom are pushing for The Barber to expand his services to cutting everyone’s hair.

“I was willing to pay at least one hundred dollars for just a trim,” said freshman Isabelle Ringing. “I would wait in line all day, skip all of my classes, if that meant he would do my hair.”

As of this past week, The Barber is charging upwards of sixty dollars for a dry cut, plus an additional twenty dollars for a wash and another twenty dollars for styling.

Despite the steep prices, getting a reservation is competitive now that the business is popular, according to the five customers waiting in line during period three.

“We had to enact a no walk-in policy,” said one of the barbers, Junior

Bob Smith.

“I never thought that we would be so successful.”

And, according to The Barber, the attention is not only people that want to get their hair cut, but people who want to work for them.

“I don’t even have time for school anymore,” said The Barber. “I haven’t been to class in weeks. But the business is really taking off.”

The Barber’s English teacher Mr. John Looker says that he is falling behind in academics, but is really ahead in life.

“The students involved are missing classes, sure, but they’re making up for it in learning practical life experiences,” said Mr. Looker. “These kids are learning how to run a business, which is far more valuable than reading Shakespeare and answering a packet of questions like they would be in my class.”

This isn’t the only way business is booming. Already, a live band selling CDs and merchandise has been set up in an unused stall, adding to the ambiance of the shop. According to the bathroom zoning department, a luxury clothing store and small theater will be available by the end of the year.

Looking ahead, The Barber says his