Central Oregonians rush to barbers, hair stylists for overdue haircuts

Salons have been shut since Gov. Brown's March 22 executive order

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- The time has finally come for all those overdue haircuts. As part of Oregon's Phase 1 reopening plan, barbershops and salons in Central Oregon are opening -- as you'd expect, to strong demand.

It didn't take long Friday for Bond Street Barbershop and Cutloose Hair Co. in Bend to schedule all of their available appointments for the day.

"We're really busy," said Sheila Gould, owner of Cutloose Hair Co. said. "We are all booked, so we are not taking any walk-ins. It's by appointment only."

Gould has had to reschedule appointments for about 300 of her clients. She said she's lost out on thousands of dollars worth of business in the last two months.

"It's been difficult," Gould said. "I didn't charge rent to the girls when they were off, since we are not working, and when you are self-employed you live on what you make every day."

In recent weeks, stylists have been eager to open and customers have been anxious to finally get a much-needed haircut.

"I'm a Realtor in the area, so my hair being like this is definitely a little rough," said Redmond resident Nicholas Cantwell. "I'm definitely excited to get it cut."

Bond Street Barbershop also opened its doors on Friday, scheduling customers by appointment only, one of the new reopening guidelines for barbershops and salons to ensure customer safety. Customers also have to wait outside for their appointment, and wear masks while they get their hair cut.

"Oh, I'm fine with it," Kip Hjorth said. "I work at St. Charles, so we wear masks all the time in the department I'm in, so I'm used to it already."

Barbershops and salons must also maintain six feet space between customers and wipe down and sanitize chairs after each appointment, and they are no longer able to offer drinks and snacks.