In the modern world, inclusivity has increasingly become the norm.

However, one local business found itself at the centre of a heated debate about sticking to its policy.


Robbie's Chop Shop, nestled in the inner-south suburb of Unley, has become a lightning rod for controversy.

Several women voiced their frustration at being asked to wait outside while their sons or brothers received a haircut.

The shop's owner, Robbie Ferrante, stood firm on his business model, which implemented a 'men-only policy'.


Ferrante described his shop as the 'last male sanctuary' where men and boys can 'get away and chill'.

'What I saw over time was a lot of boys didn't have good role models, who needed a little bit of a helping hand or someone that could just sort of guide them,' Ferrante explained.

'I'd always had this vision of a place where guys could just be guys and relax and not have to worry about conforming to society or what they say or things that they do.'

'Not in a bad way, but just having the freedom to express what they're feeling.'


Robbie Ferrante believed that the policy also encouraged independence in young clients.

It could give them a chance to interact with adults and navigate social situations without a parent speaking for them.

'It might be something small, but this is something that you're gonna have to do for the rest of your life: interact with people, talk to people,' Ferrante emphasised.

However, not everyone was convinced with Ferrante's rationale.

Adelaide-based content creator Elena Téa took to social media to question the shop's exclusionary policy.

Téa's video quickly gained traction as she asked how such a business could 'continue' in this day and age.


Téa and several of her followers shared stories of being told to wait outside on a bench while their sons or brothers got their hair cut.

'My mum and I once went in with my young brother to get his first haircut, and they all just stared at us,' one comment read.

'They told my mum and I to go outside to say what we wanted to be done to his hair and leave him.'

Robbie's Chop Shop's social media presence also came under fire after critics called their page a 'cesspool of hate'.

The page featured a mix of mental health support messages alongside memes, fast cars, and even references to the controversial film American Psycho.

Some posts, however, have raised eyebrows and accused the shop of promoting toxic masculinity.

Ferrante, however, defended the humour and insisted that there was no malice intended in their posts.


'If you can't see the funny side in a lot of things in life, then you're probably not gonna have a very funny life,' Robbie Ferrante emphasised.

'I have a daughter, I have a wife, I have a sister, I have a mum. There's a lot of things that I will not stand for as far as toxic masculinity.'

He also clarified that the references to American Psycho were not an endorsement of the film's content.

'Someone going around and murdering women, I think that's disgusting, obviously. I'm not idolising anything like that; I just think it's a well-done movie,' he said.

The shop's policy prompted a formal application for exemption from the Equal Opportunity Act.

This exemption could protect Robbie's Chop Shop from any claims of discrimination.

As of now, the shop's application is still under review.

For many older Australians, the idea of a men's barbershop is nothing new.

Some may remember a time when the local barber was a hub for male camaraderie, banter, and even life advice.

This story taps into a much larger conversation about the role of 'safe spaces' in society.
Is there still a place for male-only spaces like Robbie's Chop Shop, or is it time for businesses to open their doors to everyone? For the granddads out there—do you have fond memories of the old-school barbershop? Share your thoughts and stories in the comments below!