Serhii Firsikov flew to St. John’s on May 9 aboard a plane that the Newfoundland and Labrador government rented for Ukrainian refugees. (Caroline Hillier / CBC)
The hair dryer and hair clippers that Serhii Firsikov brought from Ukraine are not lit on the plugs of her new chair at the Fogtown barber shop in downtown St. Petersburg. John’s. But his scissors and combs, and his personal style, fit perfectly.
“Everyone has a lot of tattoos. [I like] that atmosphere, “Firsikov said.
On his first walk through the center of St. John’s, Firsikov, and his wife — who arrived in the city on May 9 on a Newfoundland and Labrador government charter flight for Ukrainian refugees — saw the barber’s pole at the intersection of Water Street. and Prescott.
When he entered, he instantly loved what he saw.
“I don’t know in Canada, if you say something like that, in Ukraine or Poland, that has an underground vibe,” Firsikov said.
“I do not want to work in a luxury place where everyone [is] dressing like a businessman “.
‘It’s crushing you’
Fogtown co-owner Chris Evans was sitting behind his desk on a rare break when Serhii Firsikov, who came to St John’s with a “bag of clothes and his [hair cutting] tools “- entered.
After posing as a Ukrainian barber looking for a job, Chris responded quickly. “I said, ‘Yeah, let’s find out.'”
Firsikov finishes Henry Porter’s haircut at Fogtown Barber, a Water Street store in downtown St. Petersburg. John’s. (Caroline Hillier / CBC)
Two days later, Firsikov was fully booked for his first day of work.
“It’s crushing him,” Evans said.
After posting about Fogtown’s new hiring on social media, the reaction was overwhelming, he said.
“He can only do so many haircuts a day. But people are finding other ways to support him. They tip him: they’re paying for haircuts that aren’t being done,” Evans said.
Firsikov’s Instagram followers have more than doubled, and he’s overwhelmed by the support, not just from Fogtown, but from people in Newfoundland and Labrador.
“We will appreciate it for life,” he said.
TARGET | Serhii Firsikov talks about loving the atmosphere in her new chair at Fogtown Barber in downtown St. John’s:
As a Ukrainian refugee he landed standing in a barber shop in St. John’s
Serhii Firsikov already fits in Fogtown Barber in downtown St. John’s
‘happy customers’
Most haircut trends in Europe and Canada are similar, but Firsikov has noticed that there are more men with long hair in St. Louis. John’s, which is exciting for him because it’s a “more complicated hairdresser” that entails the opportunity to “make art”.
He describes his barber style as a trend, with a strong focus on texturing. His main goal, however, is to make customers happy, and so far, he has been nailing this part of the job.
Chris Evans, co-owner of Fogtown Barber, says Firsikov has “crushed” him since he started in the store. (Caroline Hillier / CBC)
“I just let him do whatever he does, so that what comes out is good,” said James X, one of Firsikov’s first clients.
Henry Porter, whose mother made him an appointment after hearing about the Ukrainian barber, is excited to show off his new hairstyle at school. Her hair is growing fast, she explained, and it’s hard to cut because she inherited her mother’s curly hair.
“I’m glad I did this haircut,” she said.
“I like it to be very soft and when I touch it, I feel really good.”
“The worst day of my life”
Firsikov and his wife were already in Poland before Russia invaded Ukraine, triggering a war that shocked the world.
“It was a normal day as usual and my mom called me and said,‘ The war has started, ’” he said. “It was the worst day of my life because I’m afraid of my parents, my friends and a lot of people,” Firsikov said.
Firsikov grabs his tools while cutting a client’s hair at Fogtown Barber. (Caroline Hillier / CBC)
He considered returning to Ukraine to join the army, but decided to stay in Poland and help refugees cross the border into security and find apartments.
His priority is to make enough money in St. Louis. John’s to send them back to his family in Ukraine, whom he cares about every day.
“Every day, my mom and dad call me in the morning,” she said. “Most of all, I’m afraid I won’t get any calls from my parents.”
LISTENING: Serhii Firsikov describes finding a new place to work, shortly after the Ukrainian refugee went to St. Petersburg. John’s:
St. John’s Morning Show7:38 Ukraine Barber
Meet the new Fogtown contractor: a Ukrainian barber who is making St. John’s looks even cooler, one hawk at a time.
Video produced by John Pike
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