Roula & Thomas Hair Salon to close as owners retire after more than 35 years of service to the Beach community
By MATTHEW STEPHENS
With a legacy spanning more than 35 years in the Beach (and a five-star Google rating to boot) a historic Queen Street East hair salon will be shutting its doors at the end of August.
“We don’t feel happy closing the business. We are not happy to do this. I’m upset,” said Roula Issaakidis, co-owner of Roula & Thomas Hair Salon.
For more than three decades, the salon at 2305 Queen St. E. has been a staple in the community. Roula and Thomas Issaakidis opened the small Beach salon after immigrating from Greece in 1972 with $70 in their pocket, and big dreams of opening their own hair business one day.
“We came here in 1972 with our older son, who was a baby at the time. Thomas and I spoke no English. I was 19 and my Thomas was 24. We came with $70 in our pocket because the dictators in Greece wouldn’t let us bring any money here with us,” said Roula.
After spending several years working in Canada as a hairdresser and barber respectively, Roula and Thomas opened the small shop of their own between 1986 and 1987.
Roula stressed the importance of hard work, a trait the couple has demonstrated continuously along their journey since they first arrived in Canada.
“We came here on the 27th of May. I remember it was beautiful weather, and it was a Saturday. By Monday, I had started working as a hairdresser, and my Thomas was working two jobs in a barber shop and on weekends in a banquet hall doing dishes,” said Roula.
“This is a country to have a future in. Here, you have a chance to become whatever you want, but you have to work for it. Nothing comes onto your plate without working.”
Roula & Thomas Hair Salon has preserved its original look. From the archival business sign just above the entrance, right down to its old-fashioned interior – the salon feels like stepping into a time capsule from the 1980s; with vintage furniture and equipment; washed-out advertisement pictures of men and women sporting hairstyles from an earlier era; and old black and white photos of the pair from their heyday.
Cutting and styling hair has always been a part of the couple’s roots, spanning years and years across generations of community-based clientele.
“We’ve watched kids turn into adults, adults turn into grandparents, boyfriends and girlfriends get married and have kids of their own,” said Roula.
After years of outstanding service, long-time customers of the salon have taken to all platforms to express their admiration for Roula and Thomas, emphasizing their devotion to imparting quality service, insightful wisdom, and heartwarming stories from their past.
“Roula charges $25 for an amazing cut and has a faithful clientele of both young and old, men and women. She is full of stories of her life and of the people she has met along the way. The likes of a salon like this will not be seen again,” said a local resident and longtime customer at Roula & Thomas Hair Salon.
The beloved local business isn’t leaving without receiving its flowers. Recently, a local community Facebook group post mentioned the salon’s closure with a heavy heart, describing the business’ longevity in the Beach as “Nothing short of remarkable.”
The salon also received commemoration from Beaches-East York Councillor Brad Bradford, who took to social media to champion the establishment for its powerful impact on the community, and congratulate the shop’s owners for the resilience they demonstrated along the way.
“Roula & Thomas has been a fixture in the Beach for more than three decades, a true community institution that will be deeply missed,” said Bradford in his comment on the post. “Their story is one of hard work, resilience, and the deep connections that make our neighbourhood special.”
In celebration of their remarkable journey, Bradford said he will be presenting Roula and Thomas with a City of Toronto Congratulatory Scroll to commemorate their service to the community.
Issued by the City of Toronto, Congratulatory Scrolls recognize significant milestones such as weddings, birthdays, business anniversaries and retirements.
For Roula and Thomas, now in their 70s, retirement is a bittersweet milestone.
However, the pair said they are looking forward to spending more time with their family and grandchildren.
“At this point in our lives, we are just so thankful to be alive, so we can spend our lives now enjoying our children. We also have to look after our grandchildren. To play and spend time with them. That’s what’s next for us,” said Roula and Thomas.
For those looking to experience a quality cut with a side of impeccable service and noteworthy Beach history before it’s gone, Roula & Thomas Hair Salon will be open to customers until the end of the month. The salon can be reached by phone at 416-698-7138.
