NORFOLK, Va. - The answering machine is what you’ll hear when you call most businesses these days.
“Salon Fringe will be closed until further notice due to COVID-19,” is the recording on Salon Fringe’s machine.
The owners had plans to celebrate 10 years of business in Norfolk this week.
“We were hoping for a big 10-year sale and promotion,” says Kevin Davis.
But plans are on hold. The shampoo bowl is dry, combs are sitting in solution and seats are empty.
“It’s still hard to come in here and not be around the people that I’m around 40-plus hours a week,” he adds.
Davis is one of the salon's owners who has about 12 people on his payroll. He says this hasn’t been easy for their clients, either.
“We do have some clients that they are accustomed to having their hair colored every two to three weeks, so this extended closure is hard for them.”
Governor Ralph Northam says, “When will the barber shops and salons reopen?” is a question he gets all the time.
“For those individuals that are in need of a haircut, and more importantly the barbers - it's at the top of my priority list,” said Governor Northam at a press conference on Wednesday.
Owners say when the salon does open back up, they are going to put measures in place to keep themselves and clients safe.
Davis says, “I’m going to provide all of my staff with masks while they provide services in the salon. We have gloves that we will be wearing.”
When shops get the OK to reopen, Davis recommends other salons should start operating by appointment only.
“It allows you to limit the amount of people you have in your business,” he adds.
He also says consider your forms of payment.
“I think limiting cash is going to be important as well.”
