Back to business
By Maurice Garvey
IT WAS back to business on Tuesday for many outlets across the county as part of the phased move to Level 3 guidelines.
At the Rum Toffee salon in Ballyfermot, Tuesday was “absolutely manic” according to owner Lynda Robinson.
Theresa, Lynda, Jodie and Stephanie of Rum Toffee Hair Salon, Ballyfermot
“We are doing what we did before the latest lockdown. We have five Perspex screens, all my girls are wearing masks,” said Lynda.
Speaking over the phone on Wednesday, from a busy salon that employs eight in total, Lynda said staff had already “rebooked clients back in September/October before Christmas anyway”, so Tuesday bookings were penciled in well in advance.
“We are lucky that is was December 1, a pure fluke so I wasn’t so stressed. But I still came in on the weekends to take appointments on the phone. The phone is still going all day. I think everyone wants to get in. There is a steady flow.”
Ten years in business next May, Lynda attributes this to the “loyal people of Ballyfermot” and advertising in The Echo, which is “important” for the business.
“I found the first lockdown more stressful, not knowing what supports were there. Before the last one, numbers were rising and I didn’t want anyone to get it, so I was hoping there would be a lockdown.
But I am a determined person and we are all working extra hard to make sure we move forward.”
Melissa O’Donnell and Aotoinette Kelly of Moloneys Pharmacy, Grange Cross, Ballyfermot, Also celebrating 50 years in the community
Meanwhile, nearby businesses in the category of ‘essential’ included Moloney’s Pharmacy and Jackie’s Florist.
Kevin Brennan, owner of Moloney’s Ballyfermot, said Tuesday was “very steady” in line with most of 2020.
“We have been open all the time. It was a crazy month in March, but since then, we have all the masks and screens and signs in place, and people are quite used to it,” said Kevin.
Sarah and Jackie, Jackie’s Florist, Ballyfermot
Sarah Shields, from Jackie’s Florist, said the business, which includes another outlet in The Square, has “remained steady” throughout the year – bar a minor scare in September when a part-time member tested positive for Covid-19 in Ballyfermot.
“The Tallaght store was unaffected. In general, the business is kept going. We are not allowed to have any stock outside the shop, not sell ornaments, but flower wise has been good.
You are getting a lot of people buying flowers to say ‘thank you’ to somebody,” said Sarah.
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