Central Frontenac Township to buy Harvey’s Barber Shop in Sharbot Lake

Jeff Green | May 12, 2021

Bob Harvey has had a varied career. He has bought and sold property, ginseng, furs, just to name a few of his ventures, along with sitting on municipal council for many years. He had done all of this while cutting hair in the small barber shop that is dwarfed by the house on the hill where he lives with his wife Toots.

The Harvey property in Sharbot Lake is located across Robert Street from the Central Frontenac Township office, and the location proved to be the catalyst for the decision that will result in Bob hanging up his scissors and straight razor for good.

“I had heard that Bob might be ready to retire, and we thought there might be an opportunity for us to be able to deal with space issues, in our office, for a lot less than a major renovation would cost us,” said Mayor Frances Smith of the decision that Central Frontenac “would rather we spent $160,000 than a couple of million.”

The deal came together pretty quickly.

Chief Administrative Officer Kathy McMunn called the Harveys about the building, and they agreed that $200 per square foot for the 800 square foot building was a fair price. Council met in camera, on May 4th to make a formal offer for the building and the original lot surrounding it. The Harvey’s are keeping their house and the rest of the lot.

“Because we are a municipality we will save on some of the planning fees, but we will need a survey,” said Smith.

Smith added that Central Frontenac may eventually put a small addition onto the building, but for now they will likely just make enough changes in the building to help deal with a space crunch at the main offices across the road.

“We really do need new space. Now, if a resident wants to meet with a township staff member, the only place that is available is the lunch room. And meeting with people is an important part of our business as a municipality,” said Smith.

Central Frontenac Council briefly considered a preliminary plan to pursue a renovation on the existing office site, to add new office space and a council chamber late in 2020, but the project did not surface during the 2021 budget process.

“At this point, a council chamber is not on the table,” said Smith, “it may never be, and that’s fine with me, really,” 

Central Frontenac Council holds their meetings at the Soldiers Memorial (Oso) Hall in Sharbot Lake. The multi-use hall is also used as a courthouse, and will be the new home of North Frontenac Little Theatre when the COVID-19 pandemic is over. It is also available to rent by individual and public groups for any number of public events, including weddings, funeral lunches and dances.