BREWERTON, N.Y. (NCC NEWS) – Managing barbershops in the mist of a global pandemic isn’t ideal for most managers and barbers.
Intense state mandates and recommendations create strict guidelines due to Covid-19.
Barbershop manager Cameron Robinson, who runs Big City Barbershop in Brewerton says Governor Cuomo did not make the process easy.
“When we first got the clear to reopen we got a date set, than Cuomo went back on it,” said Robinson. “…And then let us reopen the same day, it was so back and forth.”
Robinson also says the many different guidelines such as social distancing, not being able to cut beards and having customers wait in their car, this all changed how business was ran.
“We switched to an appointment system also when we first got to reopen,” said Robinson. “Everything has been a lot more smoother since being able to reopen.”
Nate Johns, who has been a professional barber for three years and currently works at Big City says as the barber, it’s challenging working around the new rules.
“Cleaning your whole entire station through every cut, it takes time away,” said Johns. “Having to book around the appointments and try to fit in walk-ins in between those appointments it’s kind of tough to do that sometimes.”
Johns says having the passion to cut hair and staying clean keep him motivated to work.
“…partially with all the guidelines, it’s hard for a lot of people to stay motivated and keeping that same fire,” said Johns. “It’s about keeping the customer happy in the sense of how clean we stay because that’s half of what they’re worried about these days.”
Robinson says he can’t wait until the day things are back to normal.
“No more mask, shop packed, you know what I mean?,” said Robinson “I want to be done with this covid stuff…”
