It was a sad moment last week when Rino Minniti handed back the keys to his Lalor salon.
Mr Minniti, who first opened a salon in 1969 before moving to the current location at May Road and setting up Rino’s Unisex Salon a couple of years later, has decided to hang up his scissors and razor after 51 years.
He had hoped to retire at the end of this year, but the COVID-19 pandemic saw him bring his plans forward a few months.
“I didn’t want it to happen so early, so it’s a bit of a shock after 51 years,” he said.
“I’m very sorry that I didn’t get to say goodbye to my customers. I’ve always been around people and discussing whatever.
“I never dreamed that I would be doing it for so long. Last year was such a big milestone.”
Mr Minniti said a lot had changed since he first started out.
He said the 1980s were probably the hardest time, with long hair for men in fashion meaning not as many people wanted haircuts.
Mr Minniti was planning to spend his retirement travelling, but that has been put back due to the pandemic.
He will continue to help his wife Josie Minniti with fundraising work for the Northern Hospital when they are allowed.
“I’ve got my garden, but that’s not enough to keep me going every day.”
While he couldn’t say goodbye to his customers in person, he has a message for them: “Thank you for these years and the ongoing patronage and loyalty to the salon.
“When everything opens up, I’ll be going to the shopping centre and I’m sure I’ll meet up with some of you.”
