That 50's Barbershop owner Dave Lawrence doesn't have the clippers and priceless scissors seen here after his store was robbed twice in two days. (Spencer Sterritt/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Spencer Sterritt

EMPTY CHAIR

Priceless tools stolen, sense of safety shattered at downtown Nanaimo barbershop

Feb 5, 2020 | 3:40 AM

NANAIMO — A downtown Nanaimo barbershop was robbed twice in less than a week, leaving counters mostly bare of costly equipment.

“It’s such an invasion of privacy,” That 50’s Barbershop owner Dave Lawrence told NanaimoNewsNOW.

Cash was stolen overnight on Sunday, Feb. 2., then when he arrived at the shop on Wednesday morning he found the door unlocked and all his barbering equipment gone, including cash which was safely stored in the locked back room.

What’s hits home the most is his 19-year-old scissors which are dear to his heart.

“My grandmother bought them for me when I was in barbering school, that’s gone. 19 years ago those were worth $450 which I didn’t have and she bought them for my final exam. That’s a personal thing, that’s tough.”

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Lawrence said he believes the thief broke in with a pair of keys stolen several years before, when the storage space for the downtown block of shops was broken into in 2017. He said the front door and back room door are on separate keys.

As a small business, he said losing a day of work and having to rebuy his equipment will put a serious dent in his costs, which could have lasting repercussions.

Unfortunately, he didn’t have insurance at the time of the theft.

“Since I’m such a small business and financially it’s tough, I couldn’t afford it right now. It was one of the things I had to cut. Now of course I feel super foolish for not having it and I will look into getting it again.”

Lawrence didn’t know when he’d have the time or money to buy new equipment. It’s unknown when the shop will reopen.

spencer@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @spencer_sterrit