Business owners aim for flexibility in navigating restrictions on personal care services

MONTEREY, Calif. (KION) With Central Coast counties on the state watch list, restrictions on things like personal care services, gyms, and places of worship are forcing many to close entirely or find another way to operate.

Businesses are allowed to move outdoors, but a few locally are getting more creative.

Harmony Drew owns Citizen Hair, a salon in Monterey. And she is trying something new: selling plants.

“I’ve been obsessed with plants ever since I opened this place,” Drew said.

Drew made the decision to transition her space into a plant shop after Governor Newsom ordered personal care services, along with other businesses, to close indoor operations in counties on the state's watch list.

She said this was her way of being flexible in order to stay open and make money.

"I considered working outdoors for maybe like 10 seconds," Drew said. "And then I realized there’s seagulls everywhere here. The parking lot isn’t cleaned regularly."

Drew made her decision as others have more easily transitioned to outdoor operations. Gyms and restaurants have specifically done so in Monterey County.

But, Drew said, while outdoor operation works for some, it's just about impossible for personal care services. And she is not alone.

Kiran Kumar, owner of KK I Brows Threading, agreed.

“It’s a little hard because I have to pick up the chair every day, put it back and forth, out and in,” Kumar said.

She said it's more trouble than it's worth, considering she hasn't done as much business as she did before COVID-19 restrictions. And the state recognized the challenges.

"It was our intention to provide for barber shops and the like to be able to do their work outdoors," Governor Gavin Newsom said. "It turned out that was more challenging than it may have appeared."