Beloved Bentleigh barber retires after 56 years of hair magic
A Bentleigh barber who has worked his magic on locks of all ages for nearly 60 years is packing up shop in preparation for retired life. But loyal customers can keep their hair on — the salon is passing into trusted hands.
Inner South
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A beloved Bentleigh barber is hanging up his clippers after almost six decades of hair magic.
Bruno Crivelli, who has been making hair wonders at his self-named Jasper Rd salon for 56 years, says he is excited to take a fishing trip and spend even more time with his 11 grandchildren when he officially retires from work in late October.
The walk-in, sit down salon on Bentleigh’s busy shopping strip has catered to five generations; right now the head hairdresser’s youngest customer is aged one and oldest 98.
“I have one customer who started to get his hair cut here when he was a child. He’s now 58 years old, married and with grandchildren,” Mr Crivelli said.
“I have an extremely beautiful clientele … I’ll miss them.”
But loyal customers distressed at the news of their favourite barber’s retirement can keep their hair on — Mr Crivelli is passing the business into the trusted hands of his granddaughter’s boyfriend Paul.
Mr Crivelli said he would work a few days each week until Christmas to assist with the transition.
“I will miss the shop … but I am looking forward to having the time off to go to the races, go fishing and take holidays with my wife Lina to Warrnambool,” he said.
Mr Crivelli, who lives at Waterways, migrated to Australia from Italy in 1963 and learned English before scoring a job at the salon.
Three years later, he bought the shop and happy clients have been walking out with a fresh ‘do and one of Mr Crivelli’s sweet jelly bean treats since.
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Daughter Rosa Scalise, who owns Rosa’s Hair and Beauty at Oakleigh, said her father had a “heart of gold” and would be missed by customers who travelled hours to have him work his craft on their locks.
“He’s been a doctor, counsellor, adviser, and father to many clients … as hairdressers, we do a lot of that kind of stuff … the hair is just an added bonus,” she said.
“He is a modest man; from the homeless to the rich, everyone knew they could go to Bruno for support … he’s always willing to help.”
A cheerful Mr Crivelli said his proudest business achievement was the friends he had made along the way.
“(I am proud of) the simple things … I’ve been very happy, I’ve made a lot of friends and I’ve been able to support my family,” he said.
“In my 50 plus years here, I don’t ever remember having a bad day.”
Mr Crivelli invites all of his friends and customers to his farewell celebration from 1pm on Sunday October 13.
His last official day of full-time work is October 22.