As Texas officially reopened on Wednesday, businesses made different decisions about how to proceed. Some opted to keep a mask requirement in place, while others elected to give the customer and staff the right to choose whether or not they want to wear a face covering.
Denise Manoy is the owner of the boutique Indigo 1745 in Bishop Arts. She decided to keep the mask mandate in place.
“We have staff who are younger, they have not gotten vaccinated, and we just don’t feel comfortable putting them at risk or putting our customers at risk,” Manoy said. “As more and more people in the Dallas-Fort Worth area get vaccinated and we see that number come down, I think then we can be a little freer with taking off the masks.”
Kylie Phillippi is the owner of the Knot Hair and Nail Studio in Keller. Her salon is no longer requiring masks, she said.
“It’s everyone’s personal choice. I feel like we all can be responsible for our own personal health,” Phillippi said. “Everybody can have a choice to either wear a face covering or not wear a face covering.”
Though they disagree on how to proceed, both business owners have similar thoughts on the past year.
“This year has forced us to be able to turn on a dime,” Manoy said. “It’s been extremely unsettling.”
“Honestly we’ve just kind of rolled with the punches that have come our way. I think that’s what most business owners have had to do honestly,” Phillippi said.
Phillipi and Manoy are both optimistic about the months ahead.
“I am the most hopeful I have been all year, right now,” Manoy said. “We’re doing the best we can, I think everyone is.”
Phillippi echoed the sentiment, saying she is also very hopeful.
“Texas just be smart, wash your hands, and if we can keep practicing some social distancing I think we’ll be great," she said.