Phase Two reopening of the North Shore's economy is under way

Phase Two of the reopening of Long Island’s economy reopening began on Wednesday. Gov. Andrew Cuomo issued the executive order on May 31, announcing that dental offices, barbershops and salons could reopen in Phase Two.

Nassau County Executive Laura Curran called the planned opening of barbershops and hair salons “great news,” and said the governor’s order gives “our business owners the certainty they need to reopen safely.”

In addition, the Phase Two reopening includes:

Offices.

Real estate services.

In-store sales.

Vehicle sales, leases and rentals.

Retail rental, repair and cleaning.

Commercial building management.

Graciela Bustos, owner of Salon Solis in Sea Cliff, said she was excited to reopen the salon and serve her customers again. She said she and her staff spent much of their time off educating themselves on how to work with customers during the pandemic, as well as techniques to improve their services.

Bustos said she and her staff would take special precautions when they reopened. She said everyone must wear a mask, and each clients will work with only one stylist. Before the coronavirus pandemic, she said, multiple staff members worked with each customer, shampooing, cutting, styling or coloring.

Additionally, Bustos said, clients will consult with their hairdresser on the phone or a video call before coming in. She also said that only customers who are being served will be allowed in the salon, and those who are waiting will remain outside, preferably in their cars, before they are allowed in.

Bustos said that everyone at Salon Solis was making hygiene a top priority, disinfecting equipment before opening, after each use and after closing. She said the safety of her customers is her top priority, and she looked forward to connecting with them again.

“They tell everything to their hairdresser, so we want to listen to them,” Bustos said. “We want to hear how they’re doing. We’re very excited to see them alive, healthy and back with all of their goodness.”

Steve Warshaw, of Glen Head, an associate broker for Realty Connect, said he was happy to be able to return to the field. While brokers are now able to visit homes with prospective buyers or lessees, he said there are many precautionary measures they must follow.

Warshaw said there can only be one client, or couple, on site at a time, the current homeowners or tenants must not be home, masks must be worn, and showings must be staggered to prevent gatherings outside a home.

Warshaw said he was still doing virtual walk-throughs of properties and providing clients with photographs and interactive floor plans they can view from home.

“Staying safe for my clients, my customers, my family and my business in general is the most important thing,” he said. “Safety comes first, always.”

While he is optimistic, Warshaw said there is no way to know how the housing market will perform in the wake of the pandemic. “I’m excited to get out, but I still think we’re going have some cautious sellers, and I still think buyers are waiting to see where the market goes,” he  said. “As much as there are people out there who think they know, nobody knows, because nobody has a crystal ball. There are too many moving parts to say, ‘I know for certain.’ The data suggests we’re in for a good, exciting, profitable ride, but you just don’t know until you get there.”

Sea Cliff Mayor Edward Lieberman said he looked forward to the opening of restaurants with outdoor seating on private property and at locations on Sea Cliff Avenue as Phase Two moves forward.

Restaurants with properties on Sea Cliff Avenue, Lieberman explained, would be able to set up tables six feet apart on the street from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. During those times, he said, traffic will be prohibited on Sea Cliff Avenue between Central and Main Avenues. Sidewalks, he said, will be open to pedestrians. Reservations for these restaurants would be required to prevent guests from congregating in large groups, he said.

Restaurants with private outdoor dining areas will be able to use those areas every day between 5 and 11 p.m., Lieberman said. The first two restaurants to have requested such privileges were Metropolitan Bistro and the Onion Tree.

At the Sea Cliff board of trustees meeting on June 8, Village Administrator Bruce Kennedy said that other restaurants, including Still Partners and K.C. Gallagher’s, have also inquired about outdoor permits.

“We hope that other restaurants will also be able to proceed with outdoor seating as we proceed into Phases Two and Three,” Lieberman said. “My administration is keen on promoting the restaurants and the economic boost to our downtown as we get out of our lockdown.”

Scott Brinton contributed to this story.