Happy Mother’s Day in Henderson as some businesses reopen

Rachel Alexander said the best Mother’s Day gift she could receive this year was a shift at work. On Sunday, one day after Green Turtle Salon and Spa in Henderson reopened, the 37-year-old mother of three got her wish.

“We were packed Saturday,” she said. “I’m so happy to be back to work.”

The salon was booked solid with appointments for regulars and newcomers. After nearly two months of closures of nonessential business, some customers are “desperate for haircuts,” according to owner Denise Gustafson, 47.

Gov. Steve Sisolak ordered that salons lock their doors in a sweeping closure of all nonessential businesses beginning March 20. On May 7, he announced strict policies for the impending reopening of retail stores, salons and a number of other businesses.

Gustafson said clients wait in their car and she brings them bottles of water. The business strongly encourages clients to wear masks in the store, and although it’s required for employees, Alexander said it has been a difficult adjustment.

“It makes me feel claustrophobic. I get a little anxiety,” she said. “Clients have been patient while I step outside to get some fresh air.”

Mother’s Day is traditionally one of the busiest days of the year for restaurants. That was made even more hectic this year, with the holiday coming a day after Las Vegas restaurants were permitted to reopen their dining rooms following a state-mandated shutdown.

In downtown Las Vegas, only a handful of places were seating customers during brunch hours Sunday. One that was, 7th &Carson, was limiting seating to outdoor tables only.

“Opening the patios was the best part of this for us because we’re outdoors,” said owner Liam Dwyer, who reported that nearly all his Sunday guests were celebrating the holiday.

‘Everybody needs a haircut’

Great Clips on North Green Valley Parkway is another of the few Henderson hair salons typically open on Sunday, and some men were willing to bear any necessary wait times to have their shaggy bangs shorn.

Kevin Johnson, a 64-year-old Green Valley resident, said he was fine with the temperature checks at the door and the standing on designated social distancing markers in the outdoor waiting area if it meant he could lose over 3 inches of growth.

“You’ve got to do what you got to do. Everybody needs a haircut,” he said.

Within 10 minutes of entering the store, Johnson had a cleanly buzzed head.

Among those waiting with Johnson, many had reserved their spot online and were left in the shady outdoor waiting area for five to 20 minutes before employees in masks came out to take their temperature and allow them in.

The men joked that Sunday mornings were for golf, not haircuts, but none had trimmed his hair since barbershops closed.

Meanwhile, New Style Nail Spa in the Green Valley area had a busy signal all morning for those calling to make appointments. The spa reopened Saturday by appointment only and requires face masks for all clients, according to signage on the door.

Some businesses showed no signs of coming back. Popcorn Girl, also in the Green Valley area, had switched its in-store signage to let customers know that the Henderson location is permanently closed. The signage gives the address and phone number for the store in Summerlin, nearly 20 miles away.

At least seven of the 17 retail businesses in a plaza facing Stephanie Street just north of Warm Springs Road remained shuttered, with signs citing the governor’s initial closure. PetSmart was not accepting abandoned animals or giving refunds, Golf Galaxy had one driving range spot open, makeup store Ulta was doing curbside pickup only and shoe store DSW was allowing only credit cards and had arrows in the aisles to help with social distancing.

Curbside books

Three miles up the hill, an independent bookstore was welcoming its loyal customers back.

Copper Cat Books, owned by Henderson residents Wendy and Anthony Marcisofsky, delivered books to be picked up at curbsides — and got enough income to pay off May’s rent in the process.

“We have a wish list of books people wish we had,” Wendy said. “We have very loyal customers who were willing to pay in advance or pay with cash and pick up those books curbside.”

The bookstore has been on West Horizon Ridge Parkway near South Arroyo Grande Boulevard for 2½ years. She said one customer was giving her a $100 bill for small orders of books during the time of strictly curbside pickup, and she was touched when he said, “I just really want you guys to stay open.”

The Marcisofskys are offering 50 percent off everything except special orders through this week to thank their customers, and Wendy said their regulars were quick to return.

“Saturday was one of the biggest days in the history of the store,” she said. “For everybody that supported us, this is our way to say thank you.”

Contact Sabrina Schnur at sschnur@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0278. Follow @sabrina_schnur on Twitter. Review-Journal reporters Al Mancini and Heidi Knapp Rinella contributed to this report.