Novak Hair Studios
Laura Lazaro, a shampoo technician at Novak Hair Studios, prepares stations for incoming clients.
Hairdressers at Shampoo Salon have been practicing new techniques lately — specifically, how to cut and color the hair of a client who’s wearing a mask.
They’re figuring it out, though, says co-owner Kari Kinney. “We’ll have them take the elastic off and just hold the mask on their face, just for a second while we do the area around their ears ... it’s doable.”
Shampoo is one of several salons reopening after Governor Greg Abbott announced that such establishments may resume business starting Friday. Other salons and barbershops like Novak Hair Studios, Local Barber of Fort Worth, and District Barbershop are among those that announced they’re reopening as well.
But with resumption of business comes implementation of new protocols. Aside from requiring all staff and clients to wear masks, as noted by the Texas Department of Licensing & Regulation, some salons and barbershops are taking further steps.
Shampoo, Novak, and Local Barber, for example, have eliminated their waiting rooms. Clients must make appointments prior to arrival (no walk-ins are allowed) and wait outside until the shop contacts them to come in. Masks must be worn at all times, though there are exceptions for certain services (e.g., shaves). Shampoo, Novak and District Barbershop have also stated they would take clients’ temperatures before permitting them inside. And, of course, there will be heavy emphasis on frequent sanitation.
Still, some establishments — like Fort Worth Barber Shop — remain hesitant to reopen so soon.
“Though we know we’re permitted to open up, we need a little bit more time to do so,” owner Jonathan Morris says. “Overall, the safety of the people we’re inviting into our environment is of utmost importance.”
Morris says he’s shooting to reopen in the middle of May. The good news, he says, is that when the shop does reopen, there will be no problem with demand.
The demand is already high as is. Local Barber owner Johnathon Razo says his shop is already booked for the entire weekend. District Barbershop owner Edward Ramirez says all three of his shops — Near Southside, Alliance, and North Richland Hills — are completely booked through the middle of next week.
“Things are getting real. Rent still has to get paid, food still has to get put on the table … some guys are already straining,” Ramirez says. “But now, this is it. We’re pushed to the max. We need to get back to work.”
Whether the decision is to reopen or not, Novak Hair Studios founder Ben Hudgins says each business owner should do what they think is best.
“I think one of the things that we as a society have to decide is that this is going to be a judgment-free zone,” he says. “If people decide that they’re going to open, they’re doing what they’ve got to do to provide for their families.”
