Toronto is home to many hair salons, but there’s one salon in the east end that has grown into a veritable institution, serving clients from near and far for almost two decades.
Bob + Paige in Riverdale is proof that if you truly love what you do, success will follow. The beloved hair salon has just celebrated its 17th anniversary and offers its own distinct style, nurtured and grown by owners Violet Volovik and Frank Calandrino.
I sat down with the pair to chat about the salon’s journey, their approach to hairdressing, and what’s kept clients coming back for nearly two decades.
Not your average neighbourhood salon
Their story starts all the way back in 2008, a time in Toronto when there was an almost magical feeling of hope in the air, and where new things were right on the cusp of explosion. Enter the two spunky dual-specialist stylists, Volovik and Calandrino, who opened Bob + Paige just east of Broadview and The Danforth.
Fun fact: Bob + Paige is named after two iconic haircuts, the Page, where the hair lies below the ear and curls under, and the closely related Bob, a blunt cut that hits right on the jawline.
Trained by the some of the city’s OG hairdressers, Volovik and Calandrino have a master technique background, which results in jack-of-all-trades stylists. Equally trained — and now experts — in cutting and colouring, the salon quickly became known for its talent and, simply put, a really good haircut.
“We support artists. That’s kind of always been our focus, like raw talent and artists. We have always believed that those make for the best hairdressers and that’s what we built the space for,” Calandrino tells us.
What started as just the duo has grown into a space where talent flourishes, rooted in a deep respect for the craft. Without ever using job postings, the salon has continually welcomed new talent, passing down that same appreciation and classic training.
“I just wanted somewhere cool to work, with good music and with someone who is talented. You’re never lacking inspiration, and it’s kind of a really cool place to work,” says Volovik.
Hairdressing as an art form
The salon itself perfectly embodies that vibe, where clients new and old (and many who have left the city altogether) come for a trusted service.
Scissor work, balayage, blue hair — you name it, Bob + Paige can do it (and has probably done it thousands of times before), with the help of the salon-exclusive colour and products from the renowned German brand Goldwell, plus luxury Oribe haircare too.
Opening up shop just as the Riverdale and greater Danforth community started to become recognized for its family-friendly living opportunities, the locals welcomed Bob + Paige with open arms.
“They took us in like family, they are very ‘support local’,” said Volovik. Meanwhile, Calandrino also acknowledges the “tremendous support,” from the neighbourhood.
As we continue to speak, the respect and love for the craft is what stands out to me the most. Both Volovik and Calandrino exude a feeling that I can only describe as a confident love — they both know how talented they are, but never come off as cocky, and they always show love to the client, the city and the community.
When discussing what he thinks makes Bob + Paige special, Calandrino drops a line that he was taught back in school: “some people cut hair, and some people do haircuts.”
It’s all about a customized cut for each and every client. Of course, there is always a time and place for trends, but Bob + Paige has made its name on the art of hairdressing — something one might argue is no longer mainstream. After all, “real hairdressing is what looks best on the client,” says Calandrino.
Good hair days start here
Now with 17 years under their belt (and many, many mentions on blogTO’s best of lists), both Volovik and Calandrino have their eyes set on the momentous 20th anniversary. The pair is far from hanging up their shears and say they will continue to serve the community and train the next generation of stylists.
In need of a fresh cut? Check out the incredible stylings and book an appointment at Bob + Paige, located at 239 Danforth Avenue.