By Alesha Capone
After 53 years working in his Station Place barbershop, Werribee icon Vito ‘Vic’ Sammartino is hanging up his shavers and scissors.
Mr Sammartino, who started working at the business when he was 20, is planning to retire in a few weeks’ time.
“I would like to spend more time with my wife Lina, our children and two grandchildren and also go to Italy every now and then,” Mr Sammartino said.
Now, 73, Mr Sammartino began working at the village barbershop in his hometown of Vizzini, Sicily, when he was about seven years old. The day he arrived in Australia, in 1966, he visited the Station Place barbershop and was employed on the spot – and the rest, as they say, is history.
Mr Sammartino said his long-running barbershop has become something of a “legend” in Werribee.
“I would like to thank all my customers and all the people in the Werribee community who support the shop,” he said.
Mr Sammartino has sold the barbershop to Werribee barber Abdul ‘Sam’ Zanganah, who has been working with him for about a month.
Although he is retiring, Mr Sammartino said his loyal customers might still spot him in the shop every now and then.
