The question so many have been asking: When can hair salons and barbershops re-open -- and when can I get a haircut?
After Governor Newsom's announcement Tuesday afternoon, San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara Counties approved a modified reopening of these businesses; and news couldn't come soon enough for some shop owners.
"I was elated. I mean, we've been waiting and waiting for it. For I think a month we've been ready to open with the guidelines in place," said Jon Elliott, Mike's Barber Shop owner.
Even as hair salons and barbershops got the okay to get back to to seeing clients, not every salon or barbershop is going to reopen right away. Owners are now turning their attention to getting the new guidelines in place for customers and staff.
"We know that everybody's waiting to come in and get their hair done, so just be patient with us," said Amy Maggipinto, Kindred A Beauty Collective co-owner. "It is overwhelming for us. [It's not] that we don't want to get back in it -- because we do. Just give us a little bit of time to get ourselves in order and make sure that we have everything safe."
Some of the new guidelines include staggering appointments to reduce crowding, removing items such as magazines and coffee makers, and frequent disinfecting.
"Things that we did a lot of times daily are going to have to be done between each customer," said Elliott. "So there's going to be probably ten minutes of sanitation extra between each customer."
Even though going in for a haircut or a style might look different, salon and barbershops owners on the Central Coast can finally reopen for their customers.
"We're going to take care of you; just give us some time, and we're going to make you all beautiful," said Maggipinto.
Elliott says he expects prices to go up a bit after missing out on two months of income and the new added costs of gloves and masks. He also thinks shops will be more appointment based instead of allowing walk-in customers.
