Some Norman businesses reopen
NORMAN—When Bark on Main owner Erika Puckett closed her pet salon last month because of COVID-19 she felt like her right to provide for herself and her three daughters had been taken away.
After spending three weeks at home with her girls, Puckett welcomed back a steady stream of customers by appointment Friday, the first day certain Norman businesses could reopen.
"It's a good business to be in because everybody has a dog," she said as she trimmed Molly, a wellbehaved goldendoodle.
A shih tzu, two schnauzers and their groomers occupied the salon's other three work stations.
"We had taken all the precautions before closing," Puckett said, referring to face coverings and gloves and curbside drop-off. "I wasn't hesitant about opening up."
Pet groomers, restaurant dining rooms, retail stores and gyms were among the first businesses allowed to open under Mayor Breea Clark's phased approach to "rebooting" the city's economy.
"There' s going to be an adjustment period," said Annahlyse Meyer, Norman's chief communications officer. "We're getting a lot of questions from business owners and residents seeking clarification."
Steel Fitness & Tan on the city's northeast side, opened its 3,500 square-foot facility at 5 a.m. Friday. Manager Cristina Wildman and her staff had moved weight machines six feet apart and closed off every other treadmill or StairMaster. Sanitation stations were on display throughout the building.
"We had a lot of regulars here. Everybody was pretty eager to get a workout in," Wildman said. "From what I could tell, everybody was monitoring their personal space and wiping everything down."
Wildman said most customers didn't realize how much exercise helps their mental health. "People are feeling better by getting in and getting a workout," she said.
Steel has suspended its 24-hour schedule until further notice.
"We're a little uncertain about that," she said.
Not all fitness centers opened Friday.Downtown Fitness of Norman owner Mark Floyd said he was going to take a wait-and-see approach, and is planning to open his doors Monday.
"We want to give it the weekend to see how things go around town," Floyd said.
His customers won't have access to the sauna, tanning booth or drinking fountain. He's closing off every other treadmill, as well, and his staff will wear gloves and masks.
"We've been cleaning for two weeks," he said. "We're clean freaks. "We always have been."
Some of Floyd's customers have made it clear they're not ready to return yet.
"There' s no pressure here," he said.