We're Back!! (A Barber Story)
As much as I want to say this post is going to be about a parodied version of everyone’s favorite animated dinosaur film from my childhood, it isn’t.
Side note - If your favorite animated dinosaur movie was Land Before Time and NOT We’re Back, it’s probably because your parents didn’t want to scar you from the terrifying scene in the carnival where they all revert back to the origin of species. 20 years later, that still haunts me. Regardless, John Goodman as a T-Rex and Jay Leno as whatever it is that he was made for a way better movie than magical tree stars.
End Rant
The last two months have been nothing short of an emotional roller coaster. Will we get to come back to work? Is the date going to be pushed back? Is it safe? What will the new normal look like? These, and a thousand other questions have been running through our minds, all while not making any form of income due to a statewide stay at home order.
But that headache is finally over.
We’re back in the shop!!!!!!
Mari Hoskins Photography
I want to get into the meat and potatoes of this post, but there is something more important to address before I begin to ramble.
To the 61 donors of our GoFundMe campaign, you allowed us to float with our heads above water. As a collective group of people who are friends to us and strangers to one another, you are the reason we didn’t drown. Our final tally reached just over $4,000, and I want to spend a moment outlining how your support helped us.
April shop lease + utilities
May shop lease + utilities
40 industrial quality face coverings (10 per barber to supply a clean mask for every service)
4 boxes of nitrile gloves
IR contact free thermometer
Air compressors for each station
HEPA Air Purifier/Circulator
3 gallons of hand sanitizer
9 additional capes, with more to come (a clean cape for every client)
We are an independent barbershop, and like many small businesses, the announcement of a global pandemic blindsided us. We were not financially prepared, and as a shop owner, I truly do not know how the shop would have survived the expense to return to work if it wasn’t for the kindness of those who follow our story.
From the depths of all that we are, thank you.
This next part will be slightly more controversial, and I want to preface it with this. The following statements and opinions are those of Chris Bentley, the shop owner. They are not necessarily reflective of the opinions held by the independent contractors that work alongside him at The Barber Story.
As a shop owner, I make most of my decisions based off of two things. Personal concern, and input from those impacted. A lot of the times I feel bad for the other barbers because I’m constantly throwing out terrible ideas to hear their opinions on them. It’s my personal vetting process, but when it comes to major decisions, I make sure everyone has an opportunity to voice their opinion and concerns. Even when it comes to hiring new barbers, 51% of my decision is based off of the feedback I hear from the team at the end of the trial week. I believe that true leadership comes from people who are willing to do everything that they ask of others, and listen when others bring up valid concerns.
That is the heart of what is behind all of the changes to our processes at The Barber Story.
Now to the controversial part.
When it comes to Coronavirus, and specifically COVID19, there are a few trains of thought that are very divisive, despite their popularity.
COVID19 is a government conspiracy to force citizens to fearfully give up their civil liberties in a desperate power grab.
I’m not naive enough to think that this scenario isn’t entirely plausible. I don’t have a lot of trust for government, and fear is an effective tool in their toolbox.
COVID19 legitimately is a mutation that occurred naturally, and as a species, we simply are not prepared for the impact of this new virus.
Totally possible. This virus could easily be looked at as darwinism defined. Through mutation, it adapted to overcome resistance in an effort to reproduce.
COVID19 is a weaponized virus that was leaked either intentionally or unintentionally by a testing facility in Wuhan.
Plausible. My distrust for our government goes even further when it comes to foreign governments that have a less than stellar track record for human rights, and especially when that same government has the “Great Leap Forward” as part of their living history. (please recognize that this is not an attack on race, it is an acknowledgement of a government entity)
Most people prefer to fall into a singular mindset, they make a decision on which explanation makes the most sense to them, and that becomes their truth. Personally, I don’t think we will ever know “the truth” of the origin, so I choose to make my decisions on where plausibility falls. The dilemma is this, if plausibility is a valid option in all three categories, what do you do? I find that taking caution is my standard option.
I would like to remind everyone, we closed voluntarily prior to government intervention. We did this, because we are free thinking individuals who choose to put our community and our families over ourselves. These decisions were made not because any government entity is forcing us to, but instead, it is because we are listening to the stories of individuals who have lost loved ones, the experiences of the frontline workers, and the advice of medical experts. We believe that the decisions we are making exemplify the extent of how we can remain safe for our families, while still offering a quality service that keeps our community safe. For full transparency, here is a link to the state’s guidelines for the hair industry.
Here are the changes that went into effect today, alongside our reopening to the public.
Walk in services are no longer available. All appointments must be booked online in advance.
Masks are mandatory for both clients and barbers.
If you do not have a mask when you arrive to your appointment, your appointment will be canceled and you will be required to rebook with current availability. Any applicable cancellation fees will apply.
Beard and facial services are unavailable until further notice.
Wait in your vehicle until the beginning of your appointment.
A barber will come out to your vehicle to ask you if you or someone in your household has been feeling ill, and will check your temperature with a contactless thermometer.
If you are not feeling well, or your temperature reads over 100.3 degrees, your appointment will be canceled and you will be required to rebook with current availability, following a 14 day waiting period. Any applicable cancellation fees will apply.
Cancellation fees will not be charged if you reach out to your barber to cancel your service in advance due to illness. We do not want anyone bringing sickness into the shop, and that is why we will be more flexible with you if you let us know from the comfort of your home instead of bringing the news to our doorstep.
When you enter and exit the shop, we will get the door for you.
Your service begins at the doorstop with hand sanitizer.
Once inside the shop, we ask that you have T-Rex arms for your entire service. A T-Rex can’t reach out and touch anything, and neither should you.
If you would like to purchase product, please let us know what option works for you, and your barber will pull it from their inventory.
Only clients will be allowed in the shop.
If you are a parent or guardian that needs to be present for your child’s service, we will make an accommodation for one parent with one child.
No public restrooms.
Cash is no longer king
We will gladly accept Venmo, Square Cash, Apple Pay, and traditional credit/debit card payments. Please get your preferred app set up prior to your appointment.
Setting the standard in shop cleanliness. We are not looking to simply be looked at as clean and sanitary, but sterile and safe.
Service times have been extended to ensure proper time for adequate sterilization procedures.
Shifts have been staggered to ensure there should never be more than 10 individuals in the shop at any time.
Clean masks must be worn by barbers for every service.
Capes will be changed between every client.
HEPA air circulator has been placed in the center of the shop for improved air quality.
Product will be dispensed with single use applicators (no more fingers dipping into the jars of backbar pomade)
Neck dusters have been replaced with air compressors at every station.
This will help get hair off of you, and also more effectively clean our tools in between services.
Brand new washer/dryer unit will provide for on-site laundry facilities to ensure clean linens every day.
Maybe we are taking a lot of precaution, but my father always taught me that “it’s better to have and not need, than to need and not have,” and I think that lesson holds extremely true when it comes to public safety. I would rather set my own standards for excellence than play catch up in the throes of failure, and after the first day back, I was relieved to hear that our clients appreciated the efforts we were taking to keep them safe during uncertain times.
On a personal note, I am very glad to get back to work. More than the simple act of cutting hair, I have missed waking up every morning and having a sense of purpose and accomplishment. I’ve missed the conversations with people I have gotten to know personally over the past four years. Considering The Barber Story began as an effort to battle depression and my personal demons, I never really understood how this industry would help me find my place until it was taken away from me. Understanding the necessity behind routine and purpose is one of the most valuable things that I have learned from The Barber Story.
Shameless Plug
If you weren’t able to donate in our GoFundMe campaign, you can still help! The Barber Story is a finalist for a third year in the Boise Weekly’s Best of Boise competition! Help us secure a 2020 plaque by voting for us in the “Best Barbershop” category. Voting is open now until 5.29.2020, so Go Vote!
Alright, I’ve spent the last two hours writing, and I have an early morning with a new shift that puts me in the shop at 8am, so I’m off to bed so I can face the day I’ve waited 2 months for.
Be well, Boise.
-Chris
