Yellowknife (Aug 09/06) - Miscommunication between a downtown hair salon and its landlord is costing the small business hundreds of dollars a week, according to its owner.

Irene Theriault, owner of A Cut Above in the Centre Square Mall, claims she is not allowed to cut men's hair. The decision, which she said comes from mall management, is costing her business clients and money.

Irene Theriault, owner/stylist with A Cut Above hair salon in the Centre Square Mall, wants to serve both female and male clients. But a stipulation with her landlord is keeping her from cutting both sexes, she said. - David Ryan/NNSL photo

"We're doing ok, but we could be doing a lot better," she said.

The breakdown in communication began in early February when the hair salon opened, said Theriault.

Theriault said mall management, which leases space in the upper portion of Centre Square, told her the shop could cut both men's and women's hair.

A Cut Above hadn't signed a lease by the time the shop opened in February, said Theriault. From February 1 to 3, the salon cut both men's and women's hair, she said. But the salon was notified February 4 that it could no longer cut men's hair, she said. "I had no choice. Either I could stop cutting men's hair, or I could get out," said Theriault.

A Cut Above still hasn't signed a lease agreement with mall management, said Theriault. The business continues to pay rent, she said.

Upper Centre Square Mall manager, Derek Carmody, said the mall can't change the specifics of the lease.

With the lease still in A Cut Above's possession, it is difficult to proceed, said Carmody. Once the document is signed, Carmody said there is a possibility changes can be made.

The other business, which cuts hair in the mall, Gary's Barber Shop, normally cuts men's hair. It doesn't cut women's hair, according to Theriault. When contacted, the owner of the barber shop declined to comment.