MARION (WSIL) -- Phase 3 of Governor J.B. Pritzker's "Restore Illinois" plan has taken effect, which means many businesses are reopening, including some hair salons.
Jessica Bryant, Owner of Genesis Hair Salon and Spa in Marion said, "When a woman wants her hair done, it's just an exciting day, especially as long as they've waited and I don't know鈥verybody's just ready to get back."
Bryant says she's had to make some tough decisions these last few months.
"You know, you try to make it easy on everyone as possible. So my booth renters were not charged booth rent," she said.
But when the salon reopened Friday seats immediately filled up.
"I have never been more happy to get a haircut in my whole life鈥t's wonderful," said salon patron Cheryl Johnson.
Bryant says she's doing all she can to protect her customers.
"As far as you know, the masks, the gloves. We're just being as careful as we possibly can disinfecting everything having people call before they come in."
But right now some services won't be available.
"We are not open yet in the spa, but we hope to be very soon," she said.
Another challenge is having to divide up her staff.
"There's 16 of us here so I've just cut us in half and it's a large space so we can really spread out. But starting June 1st, we'll all just be in a rotation where we can all work, we'll just have our designated days," she said.
Despite that she says the future looks bright for her business and her customers say they can't wait to come back.
"I feel very safe, I know the people that work here love their customers and they want to take good care of us," said Johnson.
Staff members told News 3 one of the only service they're not offering right now is blow drying hair after a shampoo.
