{"id":5431,"date":"2022-08-17T08:56:03","date_gmt":"2022-08-17T12:56:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ottawa1.one\/?p=5431"},"modified":"2025-01-28T09:17:42","modified_gmt":"2025-01-28T14:17:42","slug":"the-history-of-ottawas-imperial-barbershop-in-the-19th-century","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ottawa1.one\/en\/the-history-of-ottawas-imperial-barbershop-in-the-19th-century-5431\/","title":{"rendered":"The History of Ottawa\u2019s Imperial Barbershop in the 19th Century"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>During the 19th and early 20th centuries, barbershops experienced their golden age. In Ottawa, a visit to the barber was much more than just a haircut or beard trim\u2014it was a cherished tradition. These shops served as social hubs where men gathered to discuss the latest news, creating a lively atmosphere filled with conversation and the snip of scissors. The distinct scents of musky tonics, talcum powder, and grooming products mingled with the aromas of tobacco and coffee, creating an unmistakable ambiance. More on <a href=\"https:\/\/ottawa1.one\/uk\/\">ottawa1.one<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_74 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a492a75e117c\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a492a75e117c\"  aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/ottawa1.one\/en\/the-history-of-ottawas-imperial-barbershop-in-the-19th-century-5431\/#What_Is_a_Barbershop_and_When_Did_They_First_Appear\" >What Is a Barbershop, and When Did They First Appear?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/ottawa1.one\/en\/the-history-of-ottawas-imperial-barbershop-in-the-19th-century-5431\/#The_%E2%80%9CScottish_Chambers_Building%E2%80%9D_Barbershop\" >The \u201cScottish Chambers Building\u201d Barbershop<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/ottawa1.one\/en\/the-history-of-ottawas-imperial-barbershop-in-the-19th-century-5431\/#The_Birth_of_the_Imperial_Barbershop\" >The Birth of the Imperial Barbershop<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/ottawa1.one\/en\/the-history-of-ottawas-imperial-barbershop-in-the-19th-century-5431\/#Renovation_and_Reopening\" >Renovation and Reopening<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/ottawa1.one\/en\/the-history-of-ottawas-imperial-barbershop-in-the-19th-century-5431\/#New_Ownership_and_Expansion\" >New Ownership and Expansion<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/ottawa1.one\/en\/the-history-of-ottawas-imperial-barbershop-in-the-19th-century-5431\/#Challenges_in_the_Barbering_Industry\" >Challenges in the Barbering Industry<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_Is_a_Barbershop_and_When_Did_They_First_Appear\"><\/span>What Is a Barbershop, and When Did They First Appear?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Today, most people know a barbershop as a men-only hair salon staffed exclusively by male barbers. The term originates from the Latin word barba, meaning beard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Many Ottawans are familiar with the iconic symbol of a barbershop\u2014the spinning pole with blue, red, and white stripes. However, few may know its deeper meaning:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Blue represents veins,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Red symbolizes blood, and<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>White signifies sterility.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.ottawa1.one\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/33\/2025\/01\/ad_4nxf_am9epeuml_jpqip6p6idhqmlbqhtuhis3lomq-6urz31v62njsbirprqk2imt25xautonp5a4xbonr-50ywfozlygjunujkuwiy2jd_8rjzly-ankklxe3qdargcdjxpsvghgqkeytetltjixufsnw9fjphzghhic.png\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>This emblem reflects the broader range of services barbers once offered, which extended beyond grooming to include basic medical procedures such as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Tooth extractions,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Bloodletting,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Applying leeches,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Minor surgical operations.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Although regulations eventually prohibited medical practices in barbershops, some persisted in offering such services until the mid-19th century. By the late 1800s, barbershops became specialized spaces for haircuts, beard grooming, and styling, much like we know today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_%E2%80%9CScottish_Chambers_Building%E2%80%9D_Barbershop\"><\/span>The \u201cScottish Chambers Building\u201d Barbershop<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Ottawa saw its first dedicated barbershops emerge during the late 19th century, a period of rapid growth in the barbering industry. One notable early establishment was the \u201cScottish Chambers Building\u201d barbershop, which later became the Imperial Barbershop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This barbershop opened in the 1880s near Canada\u2019s Parliament, strategically located in the lobby of a building housing the ticket office for the Canadian Pacific Railway. For over a decade, the shop catered to Ottawa\u2019s growing population, gaining a reputation as one of the city\u2019s premier establishments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Birth_of_the_Imperial_Barbershop\"><\/span>The Birth of the Imperial Barbershop<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.ottawa1.one\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/33\/2025\/01\/ad_4nxdegasu-ky9w8ksyxpy1jtu8_jrp_hbikjsvz1rbgwomqarbc7xy7rgzzywbkqydy5wwpb12ivhv-74vq3w2x4jex5fie-jnsdu1fscinuavm41qppiw4ahc8mpmtj54rjy49g2vwkeytetltjixufsnw9fjphzghhic.png\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>In 1905, businessman Pierre Charbonneau purchased the \u201cScottish Chambers Building\u201d barbershop and relocated it to Sparks Street. After more than a decade of operation, the shop changed hands again in 1918 when Maurice Scully acquired it and renamed it the \u201cImperial Barbershop.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Imperial Barbershop had several owners throughout the 20th century, a notable exception being \u00c9ralie Lafleur, who managed the business from 1926 to 1956. Lafleur was one of the first women to own a barbershop in Ottawa, though she focused exclusively on the business side and did not work as a barber herself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>At its peak in the early 1900s, the Imperial Barbershop could serve up to ten customers at once. However, by the 1950s, the number of seats was reduced.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Renovation_and_Reopening\"><\/span>Renovation and Reopening<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.ottawa1.one\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/33\/2025\/01\/ad_4nxfbu4pwkzqta8uaka0lg03sr_hphmv4somgxmdarpojeqab9hvmzdswcbxxoq3sbojz_rycvi7ewyhhcny_vz-4emlkgew5oyiorpniryaarcjrfqdf1lwo6banb98dutnhuol8iwkeytetltjixufsnw9fjphzghhic.png\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>By the late 1980s, the building housing the Imperial Barbershop required significant restoration. In 1989, the shop temporarily closed as part of a large-scale renovation project that lasted six years. When the restoration was completed in 1995, the Imperial Barbershop reopened its doors in the same historic location.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"New_Ownership_and_Expansion\"><\/span>New Ownership and Expansion<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>In 1998, Nancy Hunter became the new owner of the Imperial Barbershop. She successfully expanded the business, opening a second location on Slater Street in 2006 and a third in Glebe in 2009. By involving her family\u2014husband and children\u2014in the business, Hunter transformed the Imperial Barbershop into a family-run enterprise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.ottawa1.one\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/33\/2025\/01\/ad_4nxceoe91gc9modxhrhfibvd0cy-wcrtrn5-xxswtupca0ysp3rky9jr2wrkcg8zphbi4xnj6vy2sjwrvdhxaeom9qjojad0bfx2q0ohib8fv0zyn1tgbspi5hu6eaj3hur6orzj-ygkeytetltjixufsnw9fjphzghhic.png\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The barbershop on Sparks Street operated for over a century, providing high-quality grooming services to Ottawa\u2019s men. In 2012, the original location temporarily closed to focus on staff training and skill development, ensuring the highest service standards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That same year, the business expanded further, opening new locations in Beechwood, Orl\u00e9ans, Westboro (2015), and Kanata (2019). By the 2020s, the Imperial Barbershop had six locations across Ottawa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Challenges_in_the_Barbering_Industry\"><\/span>Challenges in the Barbering Industry<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.ottawa1.one\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/33\/2025\/01\/ad_4nxfj21bb_86vwj2fmin74ma6b5arxbek7zrof_yvrutxwc1e4vxlf_vlrbncsz0c6vtp6ivexohyf9etehm9uxjyw1kfaiucsxhq4qvpg9s34ogokhot8d6pmevjndtlf6wfh5vqjqkeytetltjixufsnw9fjphzghhic.png\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Barbershops flourished in Ottawa during the late 19th century, serving as essential hubs for men\u2019s grooming and social interaction. However, the industry faced significant challenges in the 1970s when long hair became fashionable for men. Traditional barbers lacked the skills to handle longer hairstyles, driving many customers to unisex salons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The rise of unisex hair salons in shopping malls and city streets marked a shift in Ottawa\u2019s grooming culture. These establishments, often filled with the scent of hair spray and the sound of 1970s pop hits, became popular for their versatility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Despite these challenges, the Imperial Barbershop persevered. While some locations struggled to compete, others adapted and thrived. By the 21st century, the Imperial Barbershop continued to uphold its legacy, with locations in Glebe, Elgin Street, and other neighborhoods. The historic Sparks Street location eventually closed, but the Imperial Barbershop remains a cornerstone of Ottawa\u2019s barbering tradition, providing expert grooming services exclusively for men.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>During the 19th and early 20th centuries, barbershops experienced their golden age. In Ottawa, a visit to the barber was much more than just a haircut or beard trim\u2014it was a cherished tradition. These shops served as social hubs where men gathered to discuss the latest news, creating a lively atmosphere filled with conversation and [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":469,"featured_media":5432,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1164],"tags":[3050,3048,3052,3049,3051,3059,3046,3057,3045,3055,3047,3054,3043,3040,3041,3053,3044,3042,3058,3056],"moimportance":[78,81],"motype":[],"moformat":[93],"class_list":{"0":"post-5431","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-business","8":"tag-accommodation-to-gothel","9":"tag-accommodation-to-the-hotel-chateau-lorieux","10":"tag-architecture","11":"tag-architecture-of-ottawa","12":"tag-business-card-card-of-ottawa","13":"tag-chateau-lorieux","14":"tag-chateau-style","15":"tag-everyday-life-of-the-hotel","16":"tag-excellence-of-the-20th-century","17":"tag-excellence-of-the-hotel","18":"tag-gothic-style-of-the-former-hotel","19":"tag-historical-fall-of-ottawa","20":"tag-history-of-architecture","21":"tag-hotel-of-ottawa","22":"tag-hotel-castle","23":"tag-hotels-of-ottawa","24":"tag-ottawa-castles","25":"tag-special-architecture","26":"tag-vishukana-architecture","27":"tag-vishukana-architecture-of-the-hotel","28":"moimportance-golovna-novina","29":"moimportance-retranslyacziya-v-agregatori","30":"moformat-longrid-korotka"},"modified_by":"Katya Koshevaya","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ottawa1.one\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5431","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ottawa1.one\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ottawa1.one\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ottawa1.one\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/469"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ottawa1.one\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5431"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/ottawa1.one\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5431\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5450,"href":"https:\/\/ottawa1.one\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5431\/revisions\/5450"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ottawa1.one\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5432"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ottawa1.one\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5431"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ottawa1.one\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5431"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ottawa1.one\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5431"},{"taxonomy":"moimportance","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ottawa1.one\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/moimportance?post=5431"},{"taxonomy":"motype","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ottawa1.one\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/motype?post=5431"},{"taxonomy":"moformat","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ottawa1.one\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/moformat?post=5431"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}