BACK IN STYLE

Salon, barbershop customers and employees adjust to new conditions as shops re-open Larry Mccormack and Joe Rondone

Hair salons and barbershops opened Wednesday in most of Tennessee’s counties.

As the shops opened, customers and employees were adjusting to new health restrictions and standards of operation as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

Barbers and stylists were required to wear masks. Customers had to make appointments, no walk-ins allowed. Other guidelines directed distancing, capacity and other health issues.

Customers were relieved to be getting groomed. Business owners and employees were glad to be back at work.

“Even during the stay-at-home thing, people were calling trying to see if we were open for the public,” said Jurek Williamson, owner of King’s Temple Barber Shop in Memphis. “It’s just not something that I felt like was worth risking.”

“Everything we are doing now, is what we were doing before,” Williamson said. “Keeping the place sanitary and protecting your clients.”

Greg Smith, owner of Heads Up in Lebanon, used time away for contemplation.

“I’ve done a lot of reflection and put things into perspective,” Smith said.

“One thing I do know is I’ve chosen the right profession. I miss my customers, my co-workers. They are like family. I realized just how much I missed it.”

Barber shops and salons in most of Tennessee’s 95 counties were able to open under a new order from Gov. Bill Lee. Others, such as in Shelby and Hamilton counties, opened Wednesday under local orders, as did those in Knox County on Friday.

The businesses remain closed in Davidson County.

“I’ve done a lot of reflection and put things into perspective . ... I miss my customers, my co-workers. They are like family.”

Greg Smith, owner of Heads Up in Lebanon

LARRY MCCORMACK / THE TENNESSEAN After being away from his shop for over six weeks Greg Smith is glad to be back cutting hair in Lebanon on Wednesday. His first customer of the day was Brandon Schramm, who said he had waited way too long for a haircut.

MIKE CHRISTEN / THE DAILY HERALD David Khalili, a barber at Daniel's Barbershop in downtown Columbia, gives a customer a haircut on the first day of business on Wednesday.

JOE RONDONE/COMMERCIAL APPEAL Jurek Williamson, the owner of King's Temple Barber Shop in Memphis, cuts the hair of Dashawn Whiting, 16, on the first day he is able to reopen his shop during Phase 1 of the city's plan to restart the economy.

SAUL YOUNG/NEWS SENTINEL Alice Stargel is styled by Tennessee School of Beauty junior Addie Everence. “We're following all the protocols,” said the school's owner Adam Brown. Visitors are directed to wash their hands the moment they enter.

HELEN COMER/DNJ Presley Jones, left gets her nails done by Hong T Cam Chau “Rose” behind plexiglass at Famous Nails on Wednesday.