Hello Darlin' Salon and Spa reopening

WASILLA — It’s been over a month since the Hello Darlin’ Salon and Spa shut its doors to the public due to the coronavirus outbreak.

Now that nonessential businesses are slowly opening back up, owners Mae Pauling, her daughter Leigha Marsden, and half of their team can start interacting with their customers face-to-face again.

“It’s great but it’s a little nerve racking,” Pauling said with a laugh. “It’s a little different.”

Pauling said they’ve missed their regulars and they’re all very excited that they’ll be seeing them soon.

“We love our people,” Pauling said.

Hello Darlin’ is opening back up April 27 at about half staff capacity. Pauling said that’s due to the fact that many employees have to be extra careful when it comes to exposure. She said they’re always in their corner and support their decisions.

“We have a really, really great team… it really is a group effort… We truly care for each person,” Pauling said. “We understand each point... and we stand by them of course.”

Pauling said they plan to hit the ground running and just because they haven’t been open, doesn’t mean the phones have not been ringing.

“We’re gonna’ be 100 percent booked for the next two, three weeks,” Pauling said.

The studio shut down March 18. Like most businesses, summer is normally a very busy time of year for Hello Darlin’.

To follow the state health mandate, they will only allow one customer per employee at a time. There will be no walk-ins allowed.

“Don’t call us if you’re sick,” Pauling said. “We’re all in this together.”

Pauling said the doors will be locked and they are only taking customers by appointment only. She said there will only be a maximum of six to eight people in the building at a given time. This is uncharted territory for the business.

“It will be interesting to see how things go,” Pauling said.

Pauling opened Hello Darlin’ with her daughter in 2015 with the vision of creating a warm, inviting place where jovial conversations and endless streams of laughter are the norm. She said salons can sometimes end up “cliquey” but their space is welcoming to all.

“No matter who you are, we want you to feel handsome and beautiful; and that we want you to be here,” Pauling said. “I think our crew is really about that.”

For more information, call 907-373-3307.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman reporter Jacob Mann at jacob.mann@frontiersman.com