THUNDER BAY - The announcement that salons and barber shops can once again welcome clients inside next month despite an area being under lockdown is welcome news for local owners, though there are some concerns that limited capacity could present more challenges.
“We are extremely excited,” said Bryan Fresco, owner of The Barber Shop in Westfort. “It’s going to be exciting to get back behind the chair and see our customers and our friends and people who locally come into our business.”
Personal care services were forced to close during grey lockdowns as part of the provincial government’s COVID-19 response framework.
According to Fresco, since last March, his shop has been closed for 170 days and counting due to several lockdowns.
“The uncertainty has really gotten to us. It’s nice knowing we are going back to work and be where we want to be,” he said.
“We enjoy doing what we do. That’s why we chose to be hair cutters, because we enjoy being behind our chairs and being with our customers. It was a difficult year for the industry.”
The provincial government announced on Friday that indoor hair cutting will be permitted for areas still under a grey lockdown as of April 12, though capacity will be limited to 25 per cent or a maximum of five people.
The limits on capacity have Michael Muia, owner of Michael’s Hair Design and Day Spa, concerned.
“It’s kind of bittersweet,” Muia said of the announcement. “We are happy we are getting to reopen, but on the other hand, a five person capacity, that’s all great if you have a small salon with one or two people. If you have a large establishment, you can pretty much lose five people in this place. It’s going to be a scheduling nightmare.”
Throughout the pandemic, those in the personal support care industry have expressed frustrations over having to close. A rally in Thunder Bay was held earlier this month, pressuring the province to allow services to resume.
“Everyone has said it has been unfair all this time,” Muia said. “Now that we can reopen, they still have their heels dug in because it’s like throwing us a little bone and saying we can reopen our doors. What they should do is base it on capacity and square footage. Same with restaurants.”
Muia added he has had to reinvent his business numerous times over the years, but this is the biggest reinvention he’s ever had to do.
“But going forward, I’m positive I’ve done it before, and I know we have a great group of people, and clients are already texting us asking when they can get in,” he said. “This is going to be great that we can do this, but challenging in how we are going to do this.”
Fresco, who is celebrating an important milestone this year after his father Armando first opened the shop 60 years ago, said customer safety will always be put first and he will be following whatever stipulations are put forward by the health unit and province.
“We cut our client’s hair and make them look good,” he said. “The last thing we ever want to do is harm any of our clients. We are going to do everything it takes to make sure they are safe when they come into our businesses.”
