Pearl Lorentzen
Lakeside Leader

A few years ago, a bear cub walked into Lion’s Den Barber Shop in Slave Lake. It wasn’t in there long, but made the news. Now, there’s a new barber shop in the same location and the name pays homage to that incident. It is Bear’s Den Barber Shop in Plaza 2000 on 2 Ave. NW Slave Lake.

Khaled ‘Kelly’ Taktak moved to Slave Lake from Edmonton to open Bear’s Den.

Taktak was born and raised in Edmonton. He worked for two years in St. Paul, so is somewhat familiar with living in a small town.

“I’m a family friend of Ali’s (Mouallem),” he says. Ali told him that Slave Lake needed another barber.

Taktak has been barber for five and a half years, working in other people’s shops.

“This is the first barber shop I’ve owned,” he adds.

Asked why he became a barber, Taktak says, “growing up, I enjoyed getting hair cuts a lot. I picture it (cutting hair) as an art. I enjoying talking to people.”

He has also noticed that having a new hair cut can give men and boys a confidence boost.

Taktak apprenticed in a barbershop and got his barber’s licence from MC College. He can cut men’s or women’s hair, but mostly cuts men’s. He also does beard trimming and hot shaves.

Hot shaves are the type you see in old movies. The barber puts a hot towel over the customer’s face, followed by hot shaving cream. He then uses a straight razor for a really close shave.

People can walk in for most appointments, but need to book an appointment for a hot shave. Bear’s Den can be reached at 780-935-2644.