Posh—like many salons—had been closed for seven weeks after Williamson County implemented a “Stay Home Stay Safe” order to help slow the spread of the novel coronavirus. This closed many nonessential businesses—including salons, spas and barbershops—that were unable to work under the mandate for 6 feet of distance between people.
While the order was lifted at 11:59 p.m. April 30, some industries were required to remain closed, per the state order. Green previously said she feared salons would be one of the last industries to open due to the impossibility of working from a distance, but that changed May 5.
She said the announcement came with no warning, and tracking down limited supplies has been difficult, but she is excited the day has arrived.
“I'm trying to do all this stuff in really 48 hours for two salons, so it's kind of hectic,” Green said.
Salons are allowed to open at 25% capacity and with stricter sanitation rules, such as wearing masks, keeping stations at least 6 feet apart from others and taking 15 minutes to sanitize a station before working on a new client.
Salons are also asked not to use blow dryers because they are known to spread particles.
Green said her salon—which usually has eight stylists—will have three at a time to help keep distancing. The salon is also not allowing any clients to sit in the waiting area, instead having clients wait in their cars until they are called in, Green said.
“I wish we would have had a little bit more notice because it's still very hard to find disinfectants, and [the government orders] want us to have everything locked down and bleached and sanitized,” Green said. “So we're going to work with just a few stylists in the salon at a time because we really don't have the supplies we need right now.”
Rachel Smith, the owner or Razmataz Salon on the Georgetown Square, agreed. She is also on the hunt for adequate cleaning supplies, adding the announcement was made so suddenly she does not plan to open until May 12.
“One of the biggest struggles is trying to find everything to sanitize the salon, and that is the reason why we are not opening up so quickly because we just do not have the equipment,” Smith said.
Smith said she is also moving stations around and isolating stylists who have older guests.
And while Smith said several clients have been requesting appointments, Green said only about half the clients with previously scheduled appointments are willing to go in to her salon.
“I've had clients say ‘no, I'm going to wait till I feel safe,’” Green said. “We are seeing a lot of guests not ready to come back into the salon at this point.”
Nonetheless, both owners said they are excited to reopen their businesses.
“I think I actually slept better,” Smith said.
