Columbia businesses see mixed returns from COVID-19 reopening week

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Two Columbia businesses said Friday that they have seen mixed results from the first week of the state's reopening from a COVID-19 stay-at-home order.

Constance Parker owns Green Meadows Salon in Columbia and said that her business has been extremely busy since its doors opened.

Parker is meeting both customers and employees outside of her location to screen them through questions and temperature checks.

The salon has taken measures to follow all of the guidelines set in place by Boone County's new order which allowed these businesses to open just last week. The Columbia/Boone County Health Department has set out guidelines that tell salons to make sure employees and clients wear masks and employees wear gloves.

The order is in place indefinitely.

Green Meadows has removed its waiting room and asks customers to call from the parking lot when they arrive to make certain the salon won't have too many people inside.

Parker said before COVID-19 led to stay-at-home orders in Mid-Missouri, the salon started every haircut with a 5-minute massage. She said now this just isn't possible.

Stadium Grill General Manager Dru Vaughn said business is still slow.

Vaughn said Stadium Grill reopened Tuesday and since has seen slightly less traffic than expected. He said more people are still opting for the restaurant's takeout and delivery services.

The reopening guidelines allow restaurants to operate in-house dining with some restrictions, including spacing out tables and occupancy limits.

The restaurant has moved all seating to ensure each table is 6 feet apart. Stadium has also been cleaning menus after each use and is only bringing out condiments at request.