Ivan hangs up his hair clippers
Ivan Boucher of Bellair Gents Hairdressers will be closing his salon doors at the end of July.
AFTER serving the Queensburgh community for 52 years, Ivan Boucher, the owner of Bellair Gents Hairdressers is hanging up his hair clippers.
The 74-year-old man decided to close down his shop at 1057 Sarnia Road in Bellair, to provide a more comfortable life for his wife, Mara. They both planned to move in with their son, Derek, who has a farm in Rayton, Johannesburg at the end of July.
“Due to Mara’s age, she was finding it difficult to move around in our small house, and we thought it would be better if we moved to the farm. However Mara fell and broke her hip at home on Tuesday 24 June and was hospitalised at Wentworth Hospital but died two days later,” said Ivan.
Determined to keep his promise to Mara, he said he will still move to Johannesburg at the end of July.
Ivan started working at Bellair Hairdressers in 1960. He bought the salon for 74 pounds in 1962 and changed the name to Bellair Gents Hairdressers and has been working there since.
“I have been here for 54 years and at times done haircuts for four generations of some families. I’ve had clients come in and say they still remember sitting on the famous blue plank when they were just a little boy,” he said.
Ivan’s signature hair cut was the brush cut. “Lots of people still have that hair cut today. I have also cut many celebrities hair such as soccer players, Bobby Charman and George Barrat of Durban City, Arthur Lightening (Durban United goalie) and South African soccer coach, Clive Barker.
Even though he said it’s time to hang up his hair clippers, Ivan said there is a slight possibility that he may continue his hairdressing skills in Johannesburg, however he is also going to try his hand at farming when he joins his son in the piggery business.
“Gents hairdressers is a dying trade but I am grateful to the public, who have been more like a family to me, and supported me for many years. Thank you,” added Ivan.
