ENCINITAS, Calif. — With ICU capacity in San Diego County still at 0 percent, several businesses are in limbo with no reopening date. Restaurants can still offer takeout and delivery, but there are several other businesses that don't have any other option but to close with no end in sight.
“We're living in this limbo," said Gayle Fulbright, the CEO of Headlines the Salon in Encinitas.
She has 38 employees, all of whom haven't been able to work since the last shutdown went into effect in early December six weeks ago.
"This is when everybody wants to look their best and when our industry and a lot of industries are the busiest," said Fulbright. "We were hoping to make up ground from being closed. I think we were closed 158 days now."
Initially, Governor Gavin Newsom said the shutdown would last at least three weeks, but, at this point it's unclear how much longer this will go on.
According to state officials, "The order will remain in effect until the region's projected ICU capacity is equal or greater than 15%."
Right now, Southern California is at 0 percent.
Austin Campbell owns Sola Salon Studios, with 15 locations throughout San Diego County.
"We are literally just completely stuck in the mud and there's no absolutely no end date," said Campbell.
Campbell said the extended closure has left his tenants feeling depressed.
"It's emotional, it's mental, psychological, [and] obviously financial," said Campbell.
Additionally, the closure forced some people to operate underground.
“Salons are now like speakeasies," said Campbell.
“So many people are pressured into underground hair," said Fulbright.
Both said they're respecting the rules. They're also helping their employees.
Campbell isn't collecting rent. As for Fulbright, she and her partner have set up a GoFundMe page, as well as a raffle fundraiser to be held on Saturday, January 16 as they wait for the light at the end of this very long tunnel.
“And with all the proceeds, we're giving it to our team," they said. "We're calling it the green light. We're focusing towards when the green light will happen.”
Fundraiser information:
Saturday, January 16th, 10 a.m. -2 p.m.
For location and tickets, contact:
121 North El Camino Real, Suite C
Encinitas, CA 92024 (760) 436-1812