When a devastating fire tore through their salon, Sara and Amer Baradaji were left with absolutely nothing.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Owners of Barberlife in Bowral in NSW's Southern Highlands, Sara and Amer watched on in horror as their business was destroyed, along with six other shops along the Bong Bong Street strip to be lost in the blaze.
Making the loss more keenly felt was the fact their other salon in Sydney has been forced to close due to COVID-19 restrictions.
But out of disaster has emerged an incredible community spirit with fellow salon Joh Bailey donating one of their work stations to the Baradajis as they search for a new home.
Sara said the gesture, combined with an outpouring of support from the Highlands community, had blown them away.
"They've [Joh Bailey] been amazing, honestly," she told the Southern Highland News.
"I was taken aback because we're only new, we've only been in Bowral for nine months. I was very happy to see all the support and people reaching out, it makes you feel better."
Sara said the donation of the work space was more than just a kind gesture, it was critical to the survival of their business.
"One of his team members reached out to me and she offered us a chair for Amer to be cutting hair temporarily until we find a place," she explained.
"It's helped us a lot because our business is gone, our source of income has been completely destroyed.
"It's good that we can keep doing haircuts to keep afloat and not lose our customers as well.
"Joh has been lovely and Rodney and the whole team, amazing."
Baberlife was one of several business decimated by Friday's blaze but Sara said they were already planning to re-open in a different location in Bowral.
"It was terrible, much larger than we expected, six or seven shops got destroyed.
"We lost everything that was in there, everything is gone. So we're just trying to deal with insurance now and speaking to the lawyer, it's a headache but what can you do."
'We've got an eye on a few shops so just waiting for an inspection, council approval, agree on the lease term, all that jazz."
Amer is taking bookings by appointment. To make a booking you can call 0434 440 056.
