Jerry Heinbigner stands out the small shop he has run for 45 years. (Submitted photo/ Norma Galambos)

By Nigel Maxwell

Shear Talent

Leask barber hangs up scissors after more than five decades in the business

Nov 3, 2020 | 7:00 AM

Jerry Heinbigner has been cutting hair for over 50 years, and will be remembered by many for the small packs of juicy fruit he gave to children for good behaviour.

When asked by paNOW what he will miss most about his job, Heinbigner explained it would be the friendships he developed.

“To me it really wasn’t like working anymore, it was more like visiting with people and while they were there I gave them a hair cut,” he said.

Jerry’s Barber Shop was initially forced to shut down in March as a result of COVID-19, and for months Heinbigner, 73, contemplated whether he could try to return, weighing his age and the cost of operating during a pandemic. In September, Heinbigner’s mind was made up when he received a generous offer he could not refuse.

“In a small town when you’ve got one buyer coming to buy, you better take it,” he said.

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The journey

Heinbigner’s story in Leask began in April, 1969 when he initially moved to the small community to help his brother-in-law run the bowling alley, which boasted six bowling lanes, a pool table, and a 40 seat fast food restaurant.

Heinbigner, who had obtained his hair cutting certificate two years prior, ran his small barber shop in the corner of the pool room. When the building was sold in 1974, Heinbigner was infomed by the new owner he would have to move his hair cutting operation elsewhere.

Fast forward to the following March, Heinbigner set up his new shop on Main Street and remained there until the decision would eventually come 45 years later to retire. For its part, the bowling alley was eventually closed and demolished.

“So it was probably a good thing that I moved,” Heinbigner joked.

Very few barbers or hair stylists can boast they’ve cut five generations of hair, but it is one of Heinbigner’s proudest accomplishments. Any person who visited the barber shop as a child will have fond memories too of the pack of juicy fruit gum they received after their hair cut. Heinbigner explained to paNOW he could not take credit for the idea. While growing up in Hague, Heinbigner’s father took him to the jewelry/barber shop in Rosthern to get his hair cut.

“If you sat there nice and quiet, and let him cut your hair, he would give you a stick of juicy fruit gum,” he said. “That’s where that started.”

Having predominately cut men’s and boy’s hair during his 50 years in Leask, Heinbigner explained not much has changed with the exception of maybe his prices. When he first started out at the bowling alley, Heinbigner was charging adults one dollar.

“I was the third barber in the town at the time so to attract some of the younger people I went to 75 cents, and for the kids under Grade 8, I would do 50 cents,” he said.

When the store closed in March, the cost of a haircut was $10.

Now enjoying retirement, Heinbigner said he hopes to travel more once the COVID restrictions ease up. In terms of the store, the hair cutting operation will unfortunately end with Heinbigner, as the new owners are investment dealers.

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nigel.maxwell@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell