By Joanne Rodgers,
Bruce Peninsula Press
Sweetwater Hair & Bodyworks, located in Wiarton, closed its doors, falling victim to confusing and indecisive policies regarding COVID-19 measures implemented by the government.
Eco-friendly salon and spa operated by Local Resident
Lion’s Head resident Tassja Martin opened Sweetwater Hair & Bodyworks, a salon and spa three years ago in Wiarton. Saying she never intended to be a business owner, she felt she had a unique product to offer the Bruce Peninsula. Martin specializes in all plant based, non-toxic, fume-free, Canadian made products. It is also a waste-free enterprise, recycling hair clippings, wax applicators, rubber gloves and using glass and aluminium rather than single-use plastic containers, repurposing as much as possible so items do not end up in landfills.
She chose the Wiarton location as it was ideally situated to service the area from Big Bay and Tara to Sauble Beach to Tobermory. Her clients are primarily year round residents and some seasonals, with a loyal customer base from Northern Bruce. She was able to operate all year round, pre-COVID and supported a staff of five.
Issues with COVID measures takes shine out of spa and salon enterprise
A series of government measures hastened the demise of this local business. Being closed was an issue, the associated cost of openings and shutdowns caused her income to drop to less than one-third of pre-COVID revenues. She has lost over $800 in expired sanitizers, over $3000 in expired beauty products, unused and now unusable.
Secondly, many beauty professionals in the area are parents of young children, so inconsistent childcare became a problem, forcing the young mothers out of the workforce as they took care of their kids.
When asked about the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy, she felt it is overly complex and the overhead administrative cost is high, better suited to those businesses that could already afford an accountant to deal with the paperwork.
Martin was able to secure a federal loan, she now owes $40,000 which she has to pay back, maybe from funds from selling her vehicle. She says unlike many other businesses within the beauty industry, she was able to get $10,000 in provincial grants, but unfortunately mid-year last year, she was forced to relocate and the grant money was spent on starting over in a new building.
Stringent safety protocols applied to Spas and Salons
Martin was required to use the same disinfecting protocols as those of health clinics and hospitals. They sanitized door knobs, wiped down every surface used by customers, disinfected every piece of equipment used and every retail item touched. She feels her industry already had strong safety practices prior to COVID, and the added protocols were unfair when compared to what was required for grocery stores or retail chains.
Financially unable to continue operating
Her greatest regret about her decision to close is that she feels she has failed her staff and her new landlords. Five young staff members are now unemployed. She says the impetus to close her business is due to the uncertainty of the long COVID response. She says under the current reopening plan, she has to wait until July 15, and even then there is no certainty if she can remain open if the government readjusts the plan. Additionally there is the concern if her staff can obtain childcare to allow them to return to work.
The “Big Dig” in Wiarton, which interrupted normal activities and accessibility on Main Street, did not help the situation. With so many unknowns, she states “It is no longer financially responsible to myself and therefore my family to continue putting myself into a debt that would take a decade to crawl out of”. Martin has no faith in the Provincial government’s ability “to make appropriate decisions for the salon and spa industry during these times.”
She appreciates the incredible community support, her very loyal customers and her dedicated staff. She has put her furniture and furnishings into storage. She expects the beauty industry to look a lot different in a post-COVID world and while she has some ideas about her future, she states for now “I’m just not sure what’s next.”
