Day spa businesses in Okotoks had their phones ringing off the hook on Dec. 9.
However, the downside was clients were phoning to book appointments before spas are closed due to public health restrictions announced by Premier Jason Kenney on Dec. 8.
“With the government closure my phone has done nothing but ring with people trying to get appointments before midnight Saturday,” said Nina Partridge, owner of My Little Room of Beauty. “It is disheartening, but we realize people’s health and safety come first.”
Kenney announced on Dec. 8 all aesthetics, manicure, pedicure, body waxing, makeup, hairstyling and other personal and wellness services must shut down as of Dec. 13 for at least four weeks as part of a new public health order.
Partridge has to shut down her store less than two weeks from her opening day of Dec. 1.
“I find it very frustrating because Jason Kenney spoke about a week or so ago that there were no reports of COVID being found coming from hair services, aesthetic services or anything like that,” Partridge said.
“Then we get closed down.”
On Nov. 24, Kenney stated: “We don’t know of a single, known case of transmission in a hair salon. And so, just let me say thank you to those operators, those workers, for being so, so incredibly careful."
Kenney reiterated the efforts of hair salons during his Dec. 8 conference at which he issued the new health orders.
"But we are now at a place where viral transmission is so widespread in the community that it does no longer matter how careful business operators are," Kenney said. "We are now at a point where we simply must take these, frankly, dramatic measures."
The closure couldn't come at a worse time for Cactus Club Salon & Spa.
“It is our busiest time of the year, because of Christmas,” said Mandy Best, Cactus Club owner. “It’s also the last month of the year for people to use their benefits for massage.
“Our massage therapists were already booked solid until Dec. 31, before the closure announcement... They are doing their best to squeeze in as many people as they can.”
She said once benefits reset Jan. 1, people are less likely to rebook.
“It’s definitely a lot of lost revenue,” she said.
She shares Partridge’s frustration for being shut down after her industry was touted by the premier for following protocols.
“Extremely frustrating,” Best said. “We have the highest standards of sanitization and sterilization. It’s not new to us. We are experts at keeping people safe.”
She added it is further frustrating that some businesses, such as large box stores, are being allowed to stay open.
“They are allowed to stay open while we have to close even though we have the staff and the processes in place to wipe down every single surface that someone touches in the process,” Best said.
As well, Cactus has spent thousands of dollars in equipment and PPE since spas were allowed to open again in mid-June, after being shuttered due to the first shutdown from COVID in March.
After Dec. 13, Cactus Club Salon & Spa will remain open to sell products, such as at-home hair colour kits and gift cards.
At present, Cactus Club employs 28 people. It had 45 before COVID-19 hit in March.
Partridge said her business will be able to survive if the closure is for four weeks; beyond that the struggle will increase.
She said deep down, she anticipated the closure.
Partridge wasn’t able to commit to running her own business in the past due to her husband being with the British military for several years.
“My career was always on hold because of a new location, new house, children,” Partridge said.
Her husband, who left the military, has been laid off from another occupation due to a drop in business caused by COVID-19.
Partridge worked at another spa in Okotoks prior to deciding to start her own business.
