Business owner creates mask that won't interfere with hair care services

PICKERINGTON, Ohio (WSYX/WTTE) — Governor DeWine recently announced that we will slowly start re-opening businesses come May 1. Already, business owners are creating plans to keep customers safe when they are able to open up their doors.

Cara Shop is the owner of 19 West Salon in Pickerington. She made a Facebook post about her plans to safely re-open, not knowing it would be a hit amongst the salon community.

“I basically was putting it out there as, when we re-open, we’re going to be ready for you guys, we’re excited to see you, and we miss you,” said Cara Shop, salon owner.

Her idea is rather simple. It’s a “no strings attached” mask.

“I made the traditional mask that they have on the health department website and just left out the string part,” said Shop. “I then applied the adhesive to each side and I tried to see if it sticks to my face, and it did!”

The stringless mask will help to keep Shop’s clients safe. It will also allow her and her staff to provide the same level of services when clients return to the salon.

“If I make them wear a mask that has strings around the ears, if we shampoo them they are going to get wet and soiled, and that’s not going to be comfortable,” said Shop.

Shop said they will be giving these out to clients who need one. Since the fabric is washable, and all you need is to re-apply the adhesive, they can be used over and over again.

“This is just something extra that we can put over the nose and mouth to keep harsh chemicals and airborne illness away from our clients,” said Shop.

Shop and her stylists will be wearing traditional masks, but already have plans in place to social distance when they return to work.

“We have four stylists at our salon and we have six stations,” said Shop. “So, we are basically putting a stylist in each corner, we will be about 10 feet apart.”

In addition distancing, because of the products they use, Shop said her staff is constantly hand-washing and wearing gloves.

Shop has already given some of the masks to fellow salons in the area.