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What to Expect Once the Barber Shop Opens Again

Where Were We?

In part one we looked at how things were before CoVid19 hit; how we were absorbed with life in general. Once the shut down occurred, I started cleaning out and rebuilding the inside of the shop. We saw new additions and you got to meet my grandchildren. In part 2, we’re going to look at some of the things that have taken place more recently. My hope through all of this is to provide you with a positive perspective on how the pandemic has affected things here and how we’re still moving forward and keeping this dream alive. So don your face mask, keep a good social distance, and we’ll walk together through this.

Money’s been Tight

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not complaining or begging for money; but when your primary source of income is shut off, you have to get creative or you might starve. I’ve been fortunate. Many of my friends and customers have come forward to help me out in fantastic and awesome ways.

Some friends have simply sent money and asked I pay it forward. To that end, I will be looking for ways to provide haircuts to those in need. If you know someone who might need a haircut or a shave; but does not have the funds to pay for it, please call the shop at 570-822-1450. I will be happy to help them out at no charge.

Other friends have sent notes of encouragement, purchased loyalty cards, and have called or texted to make sure my needs and my family’s needs were met.

My daughter set up a T-Shirt fund raiser to sell shirts with the barbershop logo. To date, the sale has gone tremendously well. The shirts will be delivered sometime in July. I am absolutely amazed at the outpouring of support.

The City of Wilkes-Barre came through in a big way. The city offered small businesses, impacted by the pandemic, no interest loans. This money came through at just the right time and ensures the business will open once Luzerne County is at the Green phase.

New Appointment Scheduler

Once the shop opens again, all customers will be seen by appointment only. I have created a new appointment scheduling page through my website provider, SquareSpace. You can make your next appointment by selecting the”Make an Appointment” link on the website menu. The new system is much cleaner and allows you to better customize your visit.

Changes to Expect When You Visit the Shop

Barbering has always had strict sanitation requirements. From using Barbicide to soak and sanitize the combs; to every customer wearing a Sanek neck strip; washing hands before and after every customer; and spray sanitizing all implements, sanitation has been key in keeping a clean barber shop.

While the shop was closed, I attended a sanitation refresher course. This course was presented by Barbicide Sanitation Products. Given the rules for Pennsylvania while in the Green phase, we will follow all of the CDC guidelines and barbering sanitation rules.

Now, when you come in the shop, along with all of the previous sanitation methods, be assured the chair will be properly wiped and sanitized between customers; customers will need to wear a mask, I will be wearing a mask and gloves; every customer will wear a drape that has been washed the previous night and not used by anyone else for the day. The number of clients will be limited to just those who have an appointment.

Pricing Increase, New Hours, and A Date to Open

Given the additional expenses and expectation that we cannot process at full capacity, I have had to implement a slight price increase. My hope is this increase in price does not overly impact people; but given all the new expenses at the shop it cannot be prevented.

As the shop is going to be by appointment only, I am going to open the appointment scheduler to allow for some evening hours two or three days each week.

Finally, Pennsylvania recently announced Luzerne County will enter Green Phase on June 19th. I have opened the barber shop appointment scheduler to accept appointments starting on June 19th.

I hope this has given you a small sense to what has been going on at Carey’s Avenue Barber Shop while we’ve been closed. I want to thank you all for your continued loyalty, friendship, and patronage. I hope to see you at the barber shop on or after June 19th.