Back to work
Businesses begin to reopen in Nova Scotia
SYDNEY — The temptation to clip your own hair was all too real for many Nova Scotians forced to wait for the easing of social distancing measures for salons, barbers and other related trades.
Waiting wasn’t an issue for Marvin O’neil, though.
He was, however, first in the chair at 10 a.m. Friday when his barber of choice Mark Macdonald opened his Sydney shop for the first time in a very long time.
“Do not do it yourself. Wait it out, see your barber and everything will be fine,” was the Sydney resident’s advice for others considering a selfstyling measure.
“I was waiting for threeand-a-half months and it felt great to come in and see my barber and get a good haircut.”
Across the province restrictions designed to stop or limit the spread of the COVID-19
virus were eased on Friday, bringing some sense of normalcy back for many.
A freshly groomed head of hair, a sit-down meal and pint of beer were among the things people were quick to enjoy.
At Ziggy’s Pub and Grill in Sydney River, brothers Paul and Bill Jefferson were greeted with jokes and gentle ribbing as they walked through the doors moments after one of their favourite spots had opened up.
They were quick to return the just-for-fun jabs lobbed at them from ownership and staff as all were happy to see one another. It was an atmosphere the two missed during weeks and weeks of social isolation at home.
“My spirits are picking up big time,” said Paul, sitting down in front of a frosty pint.
“The grub is good and there are good people that come in all the time. We love it,” added Bill.
Across the municipality on Charlotte Street, Freshii coowner Kathleen Macdonald couldn't hide the smile on her face as she set up tables outside of her restaurant in anticipation of the return of some sit-down service.
“I've been so excited,” she said. “I'm so happy to have people come in and actually sit down. It's definitely more of the hospitality I want to offer.”
Like other restaurants, the business continued with curbside and takeout orders over the last few months. Now, like other restaurants, it will adjust again with 50 per cent capacity rules and other new measures.
Ziggy's co-owner David Huntington said curbside and takeout service will have to become a bigger part of business as restaurant seating capacity is smaller. Signage, glass partitions, masks, gloves and increased sanitization are now part of running the restaurant.
He expects a supportive clientele to adjust to all new measures, though.
“I think people just want to get back to some sort of routine,” said Huntington. “It'll never be the same. But I think in the long run it'll all work out and it will be good for the industry.”
The long-haired patrons waiting outside of Mark's Barber Shop were already showing signs of adjustment. Walk-in service is no more, so they patiently waited outside, while keeping their distance from one another.
“I didn't do appointments today,” said Macdonald, the shop owner. “I did a walk up and I'll put them on a list. I have a lot of older customers that don't have computers. I tried to do something for them. I start my appointments on Tuesday.”
Over the sounds of clippers buzzing and back-and-forth hockey talk, he said it was good to be back.