Local business, 7220 Barbershop, has had to adapt to new government regulations that address the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the adjustments, the hair cutting business is doing quite well.
The owner of 7220 Barbershop, Dom Vigil, said that regulations were tough when they first reopened on May 1 after being closed for six weeks. Customers had to wait outside and were only allowed in when it was their turn for a haircut. Masks were required to be worn by both customers and barbers, the only regulation that is still heavily enforced.
“We had no one complain and have had awesome support,” Vigil said. “Everyone has been excited to get in the chair and get a haircut.”
One of the more challenging aspects of reopening while dealing with COVID-19 is everyone wearing masks while getting their haircut. Vigil says that it doesn’t get in the way too often, but trimming around the ears becomes a challenge.
“We have developed some tips and tricks to make sure we can get all the hairs and still do quality service,” Vigil says. “We have the client hold the mask on their face while we go around the ears. We’ve definitely adapted to where we can do all our normal services.”
Strict sanitizing regulations were also implemented, but the business already does an excellent job of keeping their spaces clean. They intend to leave out more hand sanitizer than before and have increased how often they clean commonly touched surfaces.
“Barbershops, salons, anyone in that category already have very strict sanitation and disinfection standards,” Vigil explained. “There were only a few things the state had us implement but were already very clean and skilled in sanitizing and disinfecting our stuff.”
Vigil also said it was an uncertain time and that the business was left to the mercy of state regulations.
“The thing with our business versus other businesses, they can adapt and do things like curbside pickup or they can do deliveries,” Vigil said in an interview. “We were just out of luck. There’s nothing we can do to perform our services without being up and personal.”
The Laramie community attempted to help the business in any way possible. Some members of the city offered to pay for future haircuts to help financially, and since reopening, the barbershop’s business hasn’t slowed down.
The name 7220 Barbershop was chosen by Vigil because he wanted it to connect to Laramie, where he was born and raised. He planned to make the shop recognizable as a local shop rather than a chain brand. He also didn’t want to incorporate the common use of “Laramie” or “cowboy” in the name.
“7220 is used in a few things around town, but it’s less common,” Vigil said. “I wanted to do something a little unique but still have that ring, so you think of Laramie.”
Vigil has worked in the barber industry for several years, getting his license from a barber school in Colorado. To get his license, Vigil had to complete 1,250 hours of school and pass two exams: a practical and written exam.
Between the three other barbers and Vigil himself, he says that each of them gives roughly eight to 10 haircuts a day, every day, Monday through Friday.
The business isn’t limited to only men. Each barber knows how to cut different hairstyles, so men, women, and children are welcome to set up appointments. Vigil emphasizes that they only cut hair and don’t work with chemicals or do any dying procedures.
7220, Barbershop’s separating factor from other shops in town is their versatility with hair and adjusting to new styles. Between the four barbers in the shop, Vigil says they “can accommodate nearly every hairstyle.”
