Salons and barbershops across the Battlefords, like You're Next, are back at work cutting and styling hair upon reopening today. (Josh Ryan/battlefordsNOW).

By Josh Ryan

Layers Trimmed

Fresh cuts as Battlefords salons and barbershops re-open

May 19, 2020 | 3:39 PM

Barbers had several extra inches of hair to cut off today, as salons and barbershops opened up across the province; kicking off the province’s second phase of the Re-Open Saskatchewan plan.

Getting ready in time for the open was a challenge for Aurora Boutique Owner Olivia Mack, but well worth the hours of cleaning and prepping. She said it was difficult having to close her doors at the start of the coronavirus pandemic.

“Our businesses are our {babies},” Mack said. “So, to see them be shut down and not being able to be here [at work] was really hard.”

“It was a lot of work, but at the end of the day, it was what we have to do to open and I’m glad to be open.”

The demand from residents to have their hair cut, coloured and styled has swamped phone lines. Paige Schamber, Apprentice Hairstylist for You’re Next Barbershop, said that’s taken up most of their time when they aren’t cleaning.

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“I came in and the phones were ringing as I was unlocking the door,” she said. “It’s been like that non-stop, basically.”

Fellow apprentice Ashley Hill said they’ve had to turn away a number of people from the front door already, as personal hair services aren’t taking any walk-ins at this time. Based on the interest throughout the community to get their hair done, the demand isn’t likely to continue.

“We’re pretty booked up already for the next couple weeks,” Hill said.

“I’m booked out till the middle of July,” Mack said. “And I stopped booking at that point, so we can go from there.”

Olivia Mack of Aurora Boutique said she’s already booked for two months after reopening Tuesday. (Josh Ryan/battlefordsNOW).

Shops are limited in how many people they can take in under the current regulations in order to minimize the risk of transmission for clients. Mack said she’s had to adjust for wearing a mask while working, but keeping the shop clean takes additional time.

“Normally we can fit a lot more clients in during the day, but we’re having to schedule breaks to clean.”

“We’re doing everything we can to keep people safe when they’re coming in,” Schamber said.

After spending weeks at home and uncertain, Mack said these challenges are worth it for her and fellow business owners to able to open up their doors.

“It’s been a really hard two and a half months for everyone,” she said. “This is a really exciting day.”

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josh.ryan@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @JoshRyanSports