When Franco Calabria was looking for a site for his hair salon in 1956, the basement location in Bailey's Corner was quite an unusual spot in Canberra.
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The capital's population was only 35,000, and the then Bailey Building was the only shopping area in Canberra built below ground.
"And dad liked that idea, it was pretty cutting edge," James Calabria, who now runs the salon with his brother Sam, said.
Now, after more than 60 years in the underground location, Franco of Canberra has moved across the bus interchange, into a light-filled modern salon in the Sydney Building.
"In the end the stairs became an issue," James said.
"Purely from a safety point of view, we've been thinking about doing this for a while."
The move has enabled them to build a modern salon, with a print from 1956 adorning the entrance, a reference to the history of the salon.
With Canberra's female population buoyed by the advent of television and the Queen's visit for the Melbourne Olympics, Franco saw a way to progress his business.
"Dad did a lot of research, looking through European hair magazines and offering new trends for his Canberra clients," James said.
"By 1960 his clientele had grown so much he was able to expand the original space and create two salons within the one premises."
In 1960 the salon, with photographs and illustrations from Franco, featured in the magazine Europe Haute Coiffure.
But closer to home Franco's continued to build its reputation, quickly adding some of Canberra's most influential women, and men, to its books. From politicians - "we'd go up to the Lodge to do Paul Keating's hair, and his wife Annita would come into the salon" to national legends - "Dad did opera singer Joan Sutherland's hair, I remember that", James says.
Sam came to work with his father in 1976, James a few years later in 1978. The pair both said they made the choice to work in the family business.
"I wouldn't be anywhere else," James said. "It's always been fun, every day is different, it's never been a job as such."
The brothers said their father fully supported the move, recognising he has always put the customers and staff first, and has always wanted to advance the salon.
"He still comes in on a Saturday morning and might cut some hair and walk around talking to everyone," James said.
The brothers said there was no better place to be than the iconic Sydney building, despite delays in the opening due to planning issues.
"We're confident with the amount of building going on in the city that the government will make Civic the focal point of Canberra once again," said Sam.
And if they do get nostalgic, they can just put their heads out the door and peer across the interchange.
"I don't think we'll be doing that," James said. "All the sunlight in here is just fantastic."
