For several months, Sophie Guattari, director of operations at the Biguine salons in the United States, has been working tirelessly to reopen the two salons in Manhattan. "We had a lot of things to review, such as timetables, the layout in the salons and the implementation of a strict health protocol including social distancing, disinfection of all equipment between each client", among others. Hairdressers are confronted with the wearing of a mask, a visor, gloves and a plastic apron in oppressive heat. Difficult working conditions. But it is the condition to be able to welcome customers again since the entry of New York in phase 2, on June 22.
In the Martial Vivot lounge, located in Greenwich Village and Midtown, co-owner Jérôme Obry quickly adapted to the situation. The show was a step ahead, with its ease in applying health regulations. “We have private boxes in the living room, which allows us to respect the safety distances” he explains.
A welcome reopening
"The waiting list has been growing for two weeks. We informed our customers of our situation throughout the confinement and they are there for our return ” says Jérôme Obry. The salon had been closed since March 14. Also crowded for the Biguine salons, which have been closed since mid-March. “With the opening, we had a lot of work, people were relieved to come back. We found clients with very long hair, they waited for us ”. Now Sophie Guattari anticipates the coming weeks. Since the schools were closed, families in affluent neighborhoods in Manhattan have left the city for the countryside and do not seem determined to return immediately. Added to this is the introduction of telework in many companies. "If the schools do not reopen in physics until the start of the school year, or even next year, people will not come back and this will affect us directly" explains Sophie Guattari.
For the rest, Jérôme Obry is not too worried. “Our high-end customers are there, and will continue to be. Now I’m more worried about the little Barber Shops, one on top of the other, which are more affected by health regulations ”. For example, salons must now respect a distance of almost two meters between each customer. Seriousness in respecting these new rules is essential for maintaining the opening of salons, as Sophie Guattari explains. “We have to protect our customers, but also our team. If one of our employees were to contract the virus, we should notify the authorities, which would lead to tracing with customers and then closing the salon for disinfection. We really want to avoid that ”. Biguine has its employees and customers fill out a form certifying their good health before entering the salon. “Customers understand how difficult it is for us to work like this. A lady has just called to say that she forgot to leave a tip to her hairdresser to thank her for her performance carried out in a secure manner and with all the paraphernalia ”.
