Wilson’s Barber Shop reopens

Published 2:59 pm Tuesday, May 5, 2020

Shaggy hair be gone! One local barber shop is ready to sharpen their shears on some unruly noggins.

Wilson’s Barber Shop will be reopening their doors on Wednesday after being closed for 45 days due to COVID-19.

“We’re going to open up at 9 a.m. and try to get things back on track,” said Seth Babb, owner of the shop.

Babb said the reopening has customers ready for appointments.

“I have not stopped trying to answer all the messages I’ve been getting,” he laughed. “I have a feeling in downtown tomorrow, people will be wondering what’s going on down there at that particular building.”

Babb said that with the “second grand opening” underway tomorrow, guidelines will be in place. No more than five customers will be allowed in the shop at a time. He also said chairs will be wiped down between customers. As for services like beard trimmings, as of now, they are available. In interpreting Gov. Lee’s recommendations, at this time, wearing masks among employees and customers will be optional, however Babb does encourage the use of them being in such close quarters. Babb was disinfecting the building Tuesday morning in preparation for the reopening as well.

He shared his excitement to be back open, alongside his partners Emily and Sara, noting he was a workaholic and didn’t enjoy sitting at home.

“I’ve never been away from my shop for more than 32 days before,” he said. “Being a workaholic, I was glad we could be getting back to our practices.”

On his unwanted break from work, Babb jokingly said he could be rusty.

“I’m kind of worried I might be a little rusty, so I hope the first five patrons want buzz cuts,” he laughed.

Babb noted how different tomorrow will be.

“With five patrons only allowed in, it’s going to be different,” he said. “We’ve never halted anyone from coming in at their own will. So I would say it will be different.”

Hours of operation will remain normal at the shop. To set up an appointment, reach out to their Facebook page. With five people being allowed in the shop at a time, the first five will be able to sign in. Once a person leaves, anyone sitting curbside waiting will be able to sign in and so forth.

“We’re just ready to have the Wilson family back together,” he said. “Our clients, we cherish them. We’ve taken care of their hair, but they’ve taken care of our way of life. We’re very grateful for them and ready to polish them up.”