Thorold's oldest barber isn't ready to put down the scissors just yet

With a fresh coat of paint on the walls, and a helping hand on the shop floor, Thorold's oldest barber is happy to be back in business after a year where extended lockdowns kept him perpetually bored.

If you live in Thorold and at some point have found yourself in need of a men's haircut with short notice, chances are you have stepped foot inside Mario Pantano's barbershop - and not just because he has been cutting hair in Canada since 1968.

Mario always works.

After all, the barbershop floor is where he feels at home, after he landed his first job sweeping up hair at a shop as a 12-year-old boy in southern Italy before moving to Canada.

Since then, factory workers, businessmen, police officers, and even mayors have come into Mario's shop, and left well-groomed, smelling of barber's talc powder.

Mario wouldn't have it any other way.

On the rare occasion that the now 72-year-old barber has taken a day or two off, his hands begin to grasp for the comb and scissor, and he says he never dreads another day of opening the door and stepping into work - something that was impossible for big parts of last year, and the beginning of 2021.

"The first lockdown was boring. I was staying at home all the time and began to miss the shop a little, but what can you do? It's a bit slow now, but we can get around 10-15 customers in a day. So far today, we have had 9," said Mario in an interview with Thoroldnews.com.

It's not that he necessarily finds something special about the barber title, that has risen to popularity in recent years with the return of beards in fashion. He just doesn't think too deeply about it.

"It's a job. You have to work to provide for yourself. I was never spoiled as a kid, so you learn to work. When I say I miss the shop, it's because I lose customers. I'd normally close the shop during lunch, and open when I'd come back, but now I have Aaron here to help me, so I can stay open," he said.

He can still operate during the Red level that Niagara is under currently, but needs to wear a face masks when he greets his customers, who have to do the same.

How many more years he'll stay in business, he doesn't quite know. Retirement doesn't hold much in terms of grand plans, other than to spend time with his wife Rosa, and maybe go for a walk and enjoy a cup of coffee with friends.

For now, the constant flow of customers help, so does his fellow barber Aaron.

Although leaving Thorold was not an option - and the recent redoing of Front Street makes for a slightly smoother parking.

"It's okay. When you come somewhere and open up a barbershop, you can't just go somewhere else or change places all the time."

Regarding the global situation, Pantano says all we can do is watch and see where things are headed.

"The way it's going, it's not looking very good, but you can always hope for the better."

Mario's does not have a website, but they are located on 61 Front St S in Thorold and is cash only.

Hours found below: