Note: All images are shared to WORLD OF BUZZ by Boon Chew.
On 23 June, an old salon which has been operating for a whopping 30 years opened its doors for the very last time.
It’s the last day for this quaint salon that’s tucked away in Kepayan, Kota Kinabalu. Known as Selamat Salon or Kedai Gunting Rambut Selamat, the shop has serviced thousands of customers throughout the years.
Owner Mr Liew, has been working as a barber for 58 years. This man who is a master of his own craft decided to close down his store due to the pandemic and his health condition.
The 72-year-old lost one of his legs due to diabetes back in 2014, but that didn’t stop him. The inspiring man still worked hard for his customers while wearing a prosthetic leg.
In an interview with WORLD OF BUZZ, freelance photographer, Boon Chew shares how Mr Liew actually started working as a barber since 1962. He first did it at his father’s shop located at Tanjung Aru.
He also captured a photo of the calendar in the barber shop which states 18 March, the first day Malaysia went into lockdown. Time stood still for this shop all these months and the shop presumably have not been opened since then.
Throughout his years as a barber, he had a lot of disciples and taught them without charging them a single cent!
Boon says,
“I heard from his daughter that Mr Liew is also very willing to give hair cuts for free to people who have financial issues like the homeless.”
“Mr Liew is truly a living legend in the Barber industry. It was an honour for me to record down the moment and the history of Selamat Salon before they closed down for good.”
Boon further shares with WORLD OF BUZZ, saying how sad it was seeing a store as historical as Mr Liew’s close.
“What I feel is very sad when the store closed. I feel sad because I can see the shop is filled with Mr Liew’s memory and the shop is proof of his hard work for his family and career.
“Even when he lost his left leg, he still came back and continue to serve his clients with a prosthetic leg. I can see that it’s hard for Mr Liew to decide to finally close down the business due to pandemic and his health condition.
“At the same time, I do feel glad as it was really time for Mr Liew to retire. I really appreciate what he did for the barber industry for so long.”
Boon wanted to share Mr Liew’s story because he believes that photographs tell a thousand words, and he wanted to let everyone know how a pandemic can affect a man’s business. He adds that Mr Liew’s story is a reminder to himself – to be a skilled man who’s willing to share and give.
After opening and closing the shutters every day for 30 years, the clamouring of the metal is heard one more last time – until a new owner lays his or her hand on it again.
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