'Nice to try and get back to normal': Jackson businesses welcome customers on reopening day

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Jackson business owners on Saturday returned to their barber shops, gyms and restaurants, many for the first in time in over a month. 

They were joined by an excited public that has been under strict stay-at-home orders for the same amount of time, having limited their travel to businesses deemed essential, such as grocery and home improvement stores. 

'This is showtime': Barbershops reopen 

John Hudson, a heavy equipment operator from Brandon, and his son, Chase Hudson, were among the first customers to make an appointment early Saturday morning at Great Scott, a clothing, tailor and barber shop on Old Canton Road in Jackson. 

The two waited their turn, even before the barbers walked into the door with facemasks on. 

"It's been a long time and I definitely need a trim. It's also nice to try and get back to normal," John Hudson said. 

Inside, two of the longtime employees of the business were just as thrilled to be open, welcoming patrons with a smile. 

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Chase Hudson of Brandon gets a long overdue trim from barber Blake Stevens at the Great Scott clothing and barber shop in Jackson on the day restrictions were eased for businesses across the city on Saturday, May 16, 2020. (Photo: Justin Vicory)

Co-owner Steve Scott and store manager David Greenhill said overall business has declined by up to 80% in the last six weeks. Despite the slowdown, they've been working in the shop daily and adjusting their business model to adapt to the changing times. The two have begun taking pictures of all their inventory to create an online database to post online and on social media to sell merchandise.  

This has allowed Great Scott to keep some revenue coming in. Still, for a business that has been in the Jackson area since 1987, Scott and Greenhill both said they hope to see a return to normal. For them normal means seeing customers in person. 

"We're a local store. We deal with customers locally. That's a huge part of what we do...this is showtime today," Scott said. 

Moses Green returns to the gym at Anytime Fitness in Jackson for the first time in weeks. Green was joined by four other gym patrons, each being careful to socially distance from one another on Saturday, May 16, 2020. (Photo: Justin Vicory)

'I'm a little out of shape': Gyms reopen 

Gyms in Jackson reopened on Saturday as well, giving cooped up residents a chance to burn off pounds that have been put on, and in general, just blow off steam. 

Jonathan Haywood said he has been working on his cardio during the outbreak, running on the Natchez Trace and at other outdoor locations. But he said the shutdown has taken a toll on his normal workout habits. 

It was refreshing to get back into the Anytime Fitness in Jacksonian Plaza after a six week hiatus, he said, after finishing several bench press reps. The gym has been become part of his routine for the last four years. 

"I'm a little out of shape. I think a lot of us are. I'm just happy, really, to be able to get back into the routine. It'll take about a week or so to get back where I need to be. It's just good to be out again, get back to normal." 

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Basil's server Wesley Lewis, center, of Madison, Miss., brings Nick Fiorito, center left, also of Madison, Miss., and Todd Tauzin, right, of Ridgeland, Miss., their lunch order outside the Renaissance at Colony Park restaurant in Ridgeland, Miss., Thursday, May 7, 2020. Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves' most recent order allows restaurants to open dining areas at 50% capacity beginning Thursday, May 7, 2020. Servers and other restaurant employees who come in contact with the public are required to wear masks. (Photo: Barbara Gauntt/Clarion Ledger)

'I enjoy the sitting down part': Restaurants transition to dining

Some Jackson restaurants have opted to reopen their dining rooms under strict measures imposed by the city. Others have plans to open soon, many on Monday.

Since March 18, restaurants in the city have been forced to close dine-in service —about a two-month span, foregoing their most profitable business commerce. Most have managed to switch to curbside, delivery and drive-thru service in the interim, with some closing down completely.  

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Before the pandemic hit, Picantes Mexican Grill on State Street saw large crowds from nearby businesses for lunch and all the way through to the evening on most days. The restaurant reopened its dining room to the public on Saturday. 

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The staff wore masks, but there was little need for social distancing. Most of the patrons in a one-hour time frame still picked up their orders, although a few customers slipped in. 

Vanessa Martinez and Erin Lenoir decided to drive around Jackson and follow the crowd wherever it led. They followed several cars into the restaurant parking lot. 

It's the first time the two have been out to eat in weeks. 

"We've been in a serious quarantine," Lenoir said. 

"It's nice to get out again. I actually enjoy the sitting down part the most," said Martinez. 

Contact Justin Vicory at 769-572-1418 or jvicory@gannett.com. Follow @justinvicory on Twitter.

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