Crows Nest barber celebrates 50 years cutting hair

BARBER Frank Tedesco is celebrating 50 years cutting hair in Crows Nest. “Thank God I’m still alive. I’m still laughing too,” he says. And he refuses to retire.

Frank and Michael Tedesco love working together. Picture: Adam Ward

• Neutral Bay mansion smashes suburb record
• Fears over Mosman pedestrian crossing
• Artist Ken Done could have his name on a ferry
• Student wants kids to car pool

FRANK Tedesco, 84, knows a thing or two about cutting hair.

This month he celebrates 50 years in business at Crows Nest and there isn’t a chance he will be putting his scissors down any time soon.

“No, no way, I can’t retire,” he said.

“I do a lot of work at home. I love to do gardening too. When I come here I have a bit of a rest.”

Mr Tedesco proudly displays his shop in 1983. Picture: Tedesco family

Mr Tedesco still works up to four days a week and the anniversary is extra special as he will celebrate it with his son Michael.

The pair have been working together for 16 years in their popular barber shop in the arcade, Frank and Michael Hairdressing.

“I didn’t know what I wanted to do and I was working with my uncle. He (dad) said ‘Why not come work with me?’,” he said.

“It’s good as we get to spend a lot of time with each other.”

Mr Tedesco loves working with his son but insisted he doesn’t tell him what to do.

“No, after 16 years he’s all right,” he said.

“He’s got a lot of loyal customers.”

Frank Tedesco is 84 and celebrates 50 years in business at Crows Nest next month. Pictured hard at work with son Michael who is not so hard at work. Picture: Adam Ward

Mr Tedesco was commuting two hours each way to his job in the city in the 1960s when he decided he had enough and launched his own business.

He revealed that the secret to his success is doing a good job, charging the right price and keeping the customer happy.

He has built up legions of loyal customers over the years including two brothers he first met when he was working in the city 55 years ago.

“They still come and see me,” he said.

“I do a good job of their hair otherwise I wouldn’t last that long.”

This month Mr Tedesco also marks 65 years since he emigrated to Australia from Calabria in southern Italy.

He has witnessed a lot of changes in Sydney over the years. He used to travel on trams to see the picture shows and recalls a time when there were 12 butchers in Crows Nest

“I’ve been through lots,” he said.

“Thank God I’m still alive. I’m still laughing too.”

Send your message of congratulations to Mr Tedesco on Facebook.

Frank started up his own business after getting sick of commuting two hours each way into the city. Photo: Adam Ward