SAM'S barbershop on Johnston Road in White Rock is a bit of a throwback to the good old days. You have expect "Opie" to wander through looking for his dad Andy as he has a few quick words with Floyd about where the fish are biting.
The "Sam" in Sam's Barbershop is SAM SBEITI. Born and raised in Lebanon, SAM immigrated to Canada 16 years ago. Following a year in Ottawa, Sam and his wife headed for the West Coast, arriving in Surrey some 16 years ago, where they now make their home. You may remember a year ago when fighting broke out in Lebanon, there were a number of Canadians who were vacationing in Lebanon, and they were caught literally in the crossfire. SAM'S wife and three children, aged 13, 11, 6 and 2 1/2 were amongst the hundreds of Canadians trapped in the war zone. Almost daily SAM would sit in his barbershop glued to CNN desperately trying to find out any information on what was happening. Thankfully we can report the family made it home safely.
SAM puts it best when asked what makes his shop unique? "Well I would have to say my sense of humour. I enjoy having my business here in White Rock, if is a beautiful location and the people are very friendly."
Customers of SAM'S also have come to know his right hand "scissors man" TONY ROY. TONY in addition to pulling the late shift at the shop, spends a great deal of his time patrolling The Promenade and the Marine Drive area of White Rock.
Life is good these days for SAM. As you read this he is on his way back home to Lebanon to visit his father who is having some health issues. Both of SAM'S parents live in Beirut, which SAM will tell you any day of the week, is a beautiful city despite the ongoing conflict in his birth city.
SAM'S is a throwback to when everyone in a small town knew each other's names and their kids names and a little bit of their personal history. Now you know a little bit about the story of the barber everyone knows, SAM SBEITI. Have a safe trip SAM. We'll be thinking of you.