Toowoomba’s Rattlesnake Barbershop opens in Greg Gabbett’s old studio on West Street in Harristown

The future of one of Toowoomba’s most famous barbershops was in doubt after the legendary owner passed away. But the shop will continue cutting hair, now sporting a trendy new look.

Rattlesnake Barbershop owner Sez Holborow in the West St shop, Monday, March 7, 2022. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Sez Holborow knows the lengthy history with barbering attached to the site of her new business — and she’s determined to honour that while crafting her own path.

The talented barber and self-described hair artist has opened the Rattlesnake Barbershop on West Street in Harristown, which used to be owned by the late great Greg Gabbett before he passed away last year.

Ms Holborow met Mr Gabbett, a legend of the industry, in late 2021 about acquiring the small shop opposite the Toowoomba Hospital.

“I just met him through finding out the shop was up for grabs,” she said.

“I didn’t know the shop existed, but I phoned him up, spoke to him, met up here and told him my plans.

“He was encouraging of that and believed in me, because he started out the same way.

“I did know he was sick, because he’d expressed why he was retiring — he was a lovely man, a very personable guy.”

Rattlesnake Barbershop owner Sez Holborow in the West Street shop. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Ms Holborow explained to Mr Gabbett her plans to redesign the shop, which she’d designed in the life simulation game The Sims.

Along with rearranging the layout and adding a second chair and new decor, the entire site has been repainted with murals by designs and work from Jamie Kirby at Monkey Business Tattoo Parlour and Andy Griffiths from White Lion Custom Tattoo.

Ms Holborow said she wanted the studio to match her focus on quality over quantity, noting she was bucking industry trends in the process.

Rattlesnake Barbershop owner Sez Holborow outside the West Street shop. Picture: Kevin Farmer

“A lot of barber shops are very quick, they want to pump haircuts in and get them out,” she said.

“I wasn’t happy with that mentality of doing money over quality.

“I didn’t like that, I wanted to create a shop that focuses on the quality of the hair – hair is art to me.

“When I came across this, it came at the right time and I was thinking about leaving and branching off — it ticks all the boxes for my clientele.

“To me, everyone walking out that door is my business card.”

But Ms Holborow said she hadn’t forgotten about Mr Gabbett’s old clients.

“It’s very close-by to houses, so a lot of his clients are within walking distance,” she said.

“His clientele is much older than mine, but they’re happy with the results.”

A commercial precinct featuring a barbershop and hair salon on West Street in Harristown is going up for auction through Colliers International.

It comes as the property her shop is located within has hit the market, with the West Street site going to auction on March 17.

Listing agent Mitch Willis said the property could be one of the cheapest tenanted commercial investments on the market, making it a prime target for entry-level buyers.

“It’s got to be sold at the end of the day, we’ve got a motivated seller, who will take and consider all offers,” he said.

“It’s perfect for someone to get that foot in the door and go on that investment journey.

“The sort of rates they’re paying are a bit lower than it could be, there’s a lot of potential to get increased return.”