As Whatcom hair salons ready to reopen, it’ll be a different customer experience
Getting a haircut or your nails done is going to be a very different experience in Phase 2 of the coronavirus pandemic, but owners and stylists are excited to get started.
Now that Whatcom County is approved for Phase 2 of the Gov. Jay Inslee’s “Safe Start” program, hair salons and barbershops will be among the many businesses opening at a reduced capacity. The businesses and workers will have many new rules to follow and places have already been implementing the changes so they would be ready to go when they got the green light.
Deborah Shearer, owner of Shearer’s Hair Design, said she and the other stylists at her salon have been keeping in touch with their clients, letting them know they are ready to reopen.
“Clients have been so supportive, with many saying ‘so nice to hear from you,’” said Shearer, who has operated the business for 12 years. “We miss the relationships we’ve had with them, they are like a second family.”
Shearer, who has a background in dentistry, said she is putting in procedures that will maintain the salon up to medical standards.
“There is so much to remember, but it’s all important. No one wants to jeopardize the safety of others and our livelihood,” Shearer said.
What to expect as salons open
Each business will have its own rules, based on its size, equipment and the services that are being offered. Here are some general guidelines of what to expect to ensure a safe experience:
▪ Face masks: Yes, you need to wear them in the business.
▪ Don’t just walk-in: Appointments are essential now, because the business needs to monitor capacity levels.
▪ No waiting around in the front sitting area: Customers will be asked to call/text when they arrive and will wait in the car or outside until the barber/stylist is ready.
▪ Wash your hands before sitting down for the haircut, manicure, etc.
▪ Don’t bring others unless necessary, like a child who can’t be left alone or a senior who needs assistance.
▪ Expect to see more plexiglass dividers, particularly around the salon/barber stations.
▪ Expect to provide some information for contact tracing purposes.
Helping backlog of clients
Owners interviewed for this story believe they can run a profitable business in Phase 2, even with the new rules and the reduced capacity.
“It’s just going to be the new normal for a little while,” said Nancy Nguyen, owner of the appropriately named Phaze 2 Nails & Salon at 151 W. Kellogg Road, near Best Buy. Phaze 2’s services also include nails and microblading. Those services will have similar prevention procedures to the standard haircut.
Some services will have to wait for a later phase. V’s Barbershop in Bakerview Square will be providing haircuts, but won’t be doing beard or mustache trimming in Phase 2.
“We know that this is favorite service for many of our clients, but due to safety concerns it just doesn’t make sense at this time,” said Marla Hansen, owner of the Bellingham shop, in an email. “We will monitor the guidance of the Department of Health and the Washington state government and take those into consideration with the input of my staff to bring these services back at the right time.”
With reduced capacity, some salons will try to make up the difference with longer hours. Kristen Peterson, a stylist at Shearer’s Hair Design, said she expects to see early morning and late evening shifts, with the Shearer salon being open every day. That will especially be true in the early going, as they try to work through the backlog of clients who need a haircut.
It remains to be seen how many salons and barbershops will reopen in Whatcom County. Shearer believes there will be a number of establishments that won’t be reopening.
“We are rooting for all the other salons, but it’s so sad,” Shearer said, noting that she was worried about losing her business by being closed for so long, but has been able to make it work.
Nguyen, who has operated Phaze 2 since 2004, said the closure has happened at what is usually the busiest time of year. In the spring services are more in demand because there are so many big events, like graduations and weddings.
Hansen has been grateful for the support she’s received from workers and customers and has been working to prepare as much as possible for the new normal.
“We are all very excited to see all of our regulars, meet new clients and help the community get their hair back to looking good,” Hansen said.
