The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
BACK TO BUSINESS FOR CHOP SHOP
Barber Shop/salon up and running virus-induced closure for nearly 2 months
Chop Shop, a barber shop/salon in Amherst, is looking to regain momentum after being closed down for nearly a twomonth period.
The business, located at 7505 Leavitt Road, was forced to close due to concerns over the novel coronavirus, but owner Derek Abraham said his establishment is taking precautions to keep folks safe and healthy.
“We reopened that Friday (May 15) and came in and did all the deep cleaning,” he said. “I made sure to get all the masks, gloves and stuff we needed. We had to order everything through Amazon. Thankfully, we did get it all on time.
“We got the hand sanitizer, the disposable masks and the temperature readers,” he added.
“I also got the Barbicide to clean all of the utensils in between everything.”
Abraham said having to close down was the start of uncertain times for him as a business owner.
“I was able to sustain things. I don’t know for how much longer I could have done it, so the opening came at a perfect time.” — Chop Shop owner Derek Abraham
“That was scary,” he said. “I was able to make it through. I turned all the heat and all that stuff down. I suspended the garbage service. I had some savings to get by, and I did not force my booth renters to pay rent during the time.
“I was able to sustain things. I don’t know for how much longer I could have done it, so the opening came at a perfect time.”
Abraham said he understands what the state was doing with all the closures.
“I know they did it so the hospitals would not be overwhelmed,” he said. “I get that, so I think the plan seemed to work pretty well. There’s what, around 600 cases in all of Lorain County? Closing down business temporarily did help, but I’m glad we’re back.”
Abraham said folks should go to Chop Shop’s website for appointments.
“We do online bookings,” he said. “We try to take walk-ins if we can. We have the ‘No Walk-ins’ sign at the door, but we have still taken some. We just want to limit the amount of people in the building, so that we are safe and the customers are safe.”
Abraham said the hours have changed slightly, opening an hour later at 10 a.m.
“Another good thing is we are both a barbershop and a salon,” he added. “So, it’s kind of a one-stop shop for the whole family. Mom can get her color done and dad, the kids, grandma and grandpa can all get the cuts they want. We kind of have something for everybody.”