Ephrata barbershop owner Jesus Valencia excited to welcome clients back
CASEY MCCARTHY | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 4 years, 5 months AGO
Slik Cutzz barber Angel Tapia cuts a client’s hair on Tuesday as the Ephrata barbershop joins other salons and barbers in Grant County welcoming back customers under Phase 2 of Washington’s reopening process.
Casey McCarthy/Columbia Basin Herald
Barber Angel Tapia cuts the hair of client Gustavo Guzman in the foreground as Slik Cutzz owner Jesus Valencia, back left, sets up an appointment with a customer, Tony Lauthan.
Casey McCarthy/Columbia Basin Herald
Slik Cutzz barbershop owner Jesus Valencia takes a client’s temperature before letting him in the shop on Tuesday as part of the state’s safety measures put in place for salons and barbershops reopening under Phase 2.
Casey McCarthy/Columbia Basin Herald
EPHRATA — Slik Cutzz barbershop owner Jesus Valencia welcomed clients back into his shop for the first time in a month on Tuesday. Barbers and salons were allowed to reopen their doors when Grant County moved into Phase 2 of Washington’s statewide reopening strategy.
Valencia said the shop, at the corner of Division Avenue and A Street Southeast, was booked up already for the day and quickly running out of vacant appointments for the rest of the week.
It was a much-anticipated return to business.
He recalled that it was really scary having to close the doors to his shop when restrictions first went into effect.
“It’s never happened to us before,” Valencia said. “We’ve never been forced to shut down. At first, we were scared because we were like, we’re gonna lose our clients. Is this going to shut us down for good? We were really unsure about that.”
The positivity and support of everyone while the shop was closed was the one thing that kept him going, Valencia said.
“I’m actually very, extremely happy and blessed with all my clients,” Valencia said. “I thank every single one of them. This happens because of them. We’re not open because of us. It’s because of them that we’re open, because they keep supporting us and keep coming to us.”
That support, Valencia said, is huge.
The barbershop is open to clients again but with a few rules, such as wearing masks and taking customers’ temperatures before they come in. Valencia said he was nervous about the new rules at first, but everyone has been positive and understanding about the precautionary measures.
“At first, it was scary,” he said Tuesday. “After today, it’s like normal.”
Slik Cutzz reached its one-year anniversary in March, but Valencia was not able to celebrate.
“It was tough because I had a big plan to have some little gifts for my clients, some cupcakes, something, so I can thank everybody for keeping us in business,” he said. “But, that never happened. And now that we can’t have a gathering, it’s really tough for us now.”
Valencia said he will monitor changes in the guidelines for barbers and salons as Grant County moves forward from Phase 2.
“We’re going to continue to do our homework and follow the rules,” Valencia said.
