Barbers, stylists welcome customers back as state continues to slowly reopen

BOSTON — Barber Richard Blake normally wouldn’t be working on Memorial Day.

“I gotta feed my kids,” said Blake. “It is what it is. You gotta deal with it, but you gotta provide so you come and work.”

It is Blake’s first opportunity to work since the state went into emergency mode in March. Under Governor Charlie Baker’s COVID-19 reopening plan, on Monday barbers and salons finally welcomed customers in after being closed for more than two months.

But the virus has left its mark - in more ways than one.

“We’re doing appointment only now,” Blake said, standing outside his brother’s Hyannis barber shop. “Can’t come in until you’re called in.”

Blake had to turn away long-time customer Mike Whalen of Dennis because he didn’t have an appointment. But he says he’ll be back tomorrow. Was he worried about catching the virus at the barber shop?

“I’m not worried at all,” Whalen said. “I’ll have a cape on me... I’ll have a mask. I carry hand sanitizer with me. Just do what you can to protect yourself and go with that. Can’t constantly live in fear.”

And yet, fear is driving the safety measures the state has imposed on hair-cutting shops. Aside from protective gear and stepped-up hygiene, shops must keep a log of customers and workers to initiate contact tracing, should someone come down with COVID-19.

That came in handy this month in Missouri when two stylists infected with the virus came into contact with 140 customers. Fortunately, the shop they worked for kept detailed records - and each one of those customers can now be tested.

For shop owners, the fears go even deeper.

Claudiene Ormsby owns Clau's Beauty Salon and Spa in Hyannis. She's two months behind on expenses and, because of state rules, can't offer anything other than haircuts.

“If this continues, all the small businesses are gonna be broke,” she said. “So it’s sad, very sad. It’s my whole life here. All my investments are here."

Ormsby hasn't been able to bring a full staff back yet and estimates that if she has to work alone she will probably only last three to four months.

“I hope we’re able to continue the business,” said Ormsby.

At Blake's Barber Shop they're a little more optimistic.

“We have real loyal customers here, really good people that help us and surround us,” said Blake. “So they’ll make sure we’re alright.”

One of those loyal customers who came in for a cut on the holiday was Steven Kang of West Barnstable.

“Other than not being able to have my face shaved, it was like a regular haircut that I usually get here,” said Kang.

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