Salon owners across America are suffering from complete closure during the coronavirus crisis. Dallas salon owner Shelley Luther was in the news recently when she was freed from jail after a judge sentenced her to 7 days for opening her business. Another salon owner in Oregon was fined $14k. Now, a Holland, Michigan salon owner has been issued a cease-and-desist order by local police for defying the Governor Whitmer’s stay-at-home order during the coronavirus pandemic:
Sarah Huff spoke with the local news last Friday to say this is so much bigger than just opening her salon:
Sarah Huff also spoke with “Fox & Friends Weekend” to say that if she didn’t reopen, her employees would “also not have a job to go back to.”
“They also have bills to pay. They have a family to also support and feed. They also have their own mortgages, and I have mine.”
TO SUPPORT SARAH HUFF: GO FUND ME
Huff posted a Facebook video a few days ago where she delivered an emotional plea:
“How do you deem one’s life-essential over another? Please tell me that… I will lose my house; I will lose my business, I will lose my freaking livelihood if I do not go back to work.”
Huff emphasized that she had done everything possible to protect the customers who came into her salon on Friday before she received the order to close.
Unfortunately, the state’s governor said on “The View” last week that it’s likely her stay-at-home orders will be extended past May 28th.
When asked if she would reopen on Monday, Huff said she wasn’t sure but had been speaking with her lawyer:
“My license could be taken away; I could go to jail. I believe it’s up to a year, possibly in jail. It’s not who I am. I don’t go against the grain. I am not the type of person, I do not like to get in trouble, so this is not who I am, and it’s definitely a scary situation.”
HUFF’S STORY ON HER GO FUND ME PAGE:
We opened Friday May 15, 2020 and were overwhelmed with support. We received thousands of calls, messages, dm’s, and so much more that we can’t even get to. For that, we are so thankful. Friday afternoon we were emailed a cease and desist order. We are praying through what to do next and consulting with our lawyer. We appreciate all the support and prayers to get through this. We are asking for help for our working staff, any fines, our attorney fees, and anything extra will be used for other bills. We are not currently receiving the help we need as a salon to remain open. This means 7 people out of a job and no source of income coming in to help. Your support will help us to make it, and hopefully be an example for others to follow. When I have doubts, I think of Joshua 1:9 “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Ardor and Grit is built on this verse. Fear is a liar and the Lord tells us to not be afraid. In several months of fear and loss we are now choosing to fight. If you are local here in Holland and are interested in booking an appointment, please know that we have been specially trained and certified on how to keep things properly cleaned and sanitized. Masks will be worn at all times and every possible surface touched will be wiped down. Only one client will be allowed in at a time to maintain distance from others.
Business owners are beyond desperate and are being punished for protesting to open up before they go broke. As this stay-at-home order continues, it becomes more evident that this is something more than just “flattening the curve.”
