Businesses Eagerly Reopen As Others Take A Phased Approach
Gov. Kay Ivey allowed more Alabama businesses to reopen Monday, including restaurants, bars, and salons. But the definition of “open” varied widely, depending on the establishment.
Jimmy Shallow, a barber at Crestwood’s Birmingham House of Cuts, did a “soft opening” Monday, scheduling three clients per day for now. He’s taking note of how long it takes to sanitize equipment in-between haircuts. Customers also must sign a waiver indicating they assume any risks associated with coronavirus.
Kevin Burke, owner of Phase Gym in Birmingham reopened as well with a number of safety precautions. He’s limiting the number of people in the gym and regularly sanitizing equipment. His staff must wear masks at all times.
“Our primary goal and objective is to make sure that people are safe and that they feel safe as they’re working out and training,” he said.
Burke has spent the past few months training clients online and says he’ll continue to do so for those who aren’t quite ready to venture out. He’s dedicating a room in his gym for workouts over video conference. Overall, he said, many of his clients were eager to return.
“As soon as the governor made the announcement, we started getting phone calls and text messages before we could even send anything out saying what it was that the gym was going to look like in this new world,” Burke said.
The YMCA of Greater Birmingham will not reopen yet. CEO and President Dan Piles says he’s heeding Friday’s recommendation from the Jefferson County Health Officer to refrain from having public gatherings of 10 or more people.
Some restaurants, such as Golden Rule in Irondale, are eager to open their dining rooms to customers again. But staff there said they were surprised by the governor’s announcement Friday and needed a few more days to prepare. Other popular spots along Birmingham’s Highway 78, including Hamburger Heaven and The Filling Station, remained take-out only.
Multiple restaurant owners said dine-in services won’t yet cover the cost of rehiring a full staff. The seating requirements will decrease their capacity, and even then, they aren’t confident customers will take the risk. In addition, some workers are earning more through unemployment benefits than what business owners can afford to pay.
Birmingham’s beer drinkers may have more to celebrate. Avondale Brewing, Good People Brewing, and Birmingham District Brewing all opened their taprooms, even as many others decided to stick with to-go service for now.
The manhunt for Eric Rudolph was the largest in US history: How it began. How it finally ended
Eric Rudolph planted a bomb in 1998 at a Birmingham clinic that performed abortions. A new podcast explores the massive manhunt assembled to find him, and how his words and actions are possibly more accepted now, than they were then.
Trump’s dream of building a ballroom at the White House is becoming a reality
After at least 15 years of talking about it, President Trump is building a ballroom at the White House. Work will begin this September, with a price tag of $200 million, the White House says.
An MMA fighter Trump hosted at the White House loses appeal in his rape case
Mixed martial arts fighter Conor McGregor used to be the face of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. President Trump, a UFC fan, hosted him at the White House for St. Patrick's Day this year.
What Leikeli47 hid behind her mask
On the heels of her new, independent album, Lei Keli ft. 47 / For Promotional Use Only, the artist speaks candidly about the mask that once gave her freedom and the fight for creative autonomy.
In reversal, Defense Department will continue providing crucial satellite weather data
About a month after announcing that it would stop sharing data that hurricane forecasters and scientists rely on, the Navy now says it will continue distributing it.
Trump announces 90-day extension of prior trade deal with Mexico
President Trump, who has insisted Aug. 1 is a firm deadline for countries around the world, said that "the complexities of a Deal with Mexico are somewhat different from other Nations."
