Salon 6 Owner Jaret Mayer smiles for a satisfied customer. (submitted photo/Meghan Mayer)

By Nigel Maxwell

Going back to work

P.A. hair industry prepares to re-open, backlogs expected

Apr 27, 2020 | 5:00 PM

In recent weeks, the hair style trends of the 1970s have made a comeback, but there is now some relief in sight for those people who need a little extra off the top and sides.

According to phase two of the provincial government’s plans to re-open the province, hair salons and barber shops have been given the green light to open on May 19. Meghan Mayer at Salon 6 in Prince Albert said the response from clients was almost immediate.

“Within five minutes, we had phone calls coming in,” she said with a laugh.

Mayer explained she and her co-workers quickly realized they would be facing a backlog and so they made the decision that clients who had prior appointments will be given first priority, followed by new appointments.

“We are going to have to bring in extra people to work the front desk and man that area because we are going to have walk-ins,” she said.

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Shannon Parenteau owns Salon Mint and told paNOW they’ve also been getting a lot of calls, and are encouraging people needing cuts to be patient.

“I just keep reminding people that they aren’t the only ones with grey roots and shaggy hair. We all have it,” she said.

While the businesses can re-open, social distancing rules will still apply, and service providers will be required to take precautionary measures such as client screening, wearing gloves and face masks.

“We will book longer appointment times to allow ourselves time to properly clean and sanitize before our next client arrives. When possible we are encouraging clients not to bring children because they require a guardian which therefore means more bodies,” Parenteau said.

Darryl Frenette at Gil’s Barber Shop expressed to paNOW how anxious he was to get back to work, adding he hasn’t taken more than seven days off in over 30 years. And much like Mayer and Parenteau, Frenette’s phone was also ringing off the hook last Friday.

“On the day of the announcement I had over 65 calls,” he said.

Darryl Frenette said he appreciates the provincial government remembered businesses like his amidst the pandemic. (submitted photo/Darryl Frenette)

Frennette expressed he wasn’t too concerned about being able to follow the enhanced safety protocols, explaining before his shop was closed, only client was being allowed into the shop at a time.

“You know it’s going to be a little slower but it’s better than nothing right? It’s a start,” he said.

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nigel.maxwell@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell