Fredericton Barbershop Opens Despite Covid Rules, Plans To Fight Ticket In Court
FREDERICTON–A Fredericton business owner is pushing back against what he says are unfair restrictions from the provincial government—and he’s putting his business on the line to do it.
Chad McGarity owns The Warehouse Barbershop. On January 18, at 12 p.m., he opened the shop for business in defiance of Level 3 Covid-19 restrictions in place in New Brunswick.
McGarity says while there are health concerns around the spread of Covid-19, businesses like his have done their due diligence, investing their own money in health and safety measures.
“We have done everything possible to put everything in place and invested so much to prepare for these times…well these times are here,” he said in a phone interview with Huddle.
McGarity is concerned that malls and big-box retailers remain open, taking away revenue from small businesses like his in the community.
New Brunswick moved to Level 3 of its Covid-19 Winter Plan on January 14. Under the restrictions, gyms, salons, spas, and entertainment centers had to close. Other business and retail shops are allowed to operate at 50 percent capacity. The province plans to stay under Level 3 restrictions for 16 days.
McGarity says the January closure forced on him by the province makes it extremely difficult to pay bills in an already slow month.
Fined For Opening
After opening January 18, the Warehouse Barbershop received a cease-and-desist letter, multiple fines, and a letter indicating its doors would be locked if it continues to operate.
Geoffrey Downey, a spokesperson for the Department of Justice and Public Safety, explains that under New Brunswick’s Emergency Measures Act and Mandatory Order, a peace officer can issue a fine of $580.50 for each day the business is open.
When the offence is brought to court, a judge may issue a fine of as much as $24,484.50. Peace officers have the authority to close a business that does not comply, Downey told Huddle in an email.
While The Warehouse Barbershop has now closed its doors again, McGarity says he does not plan on paying the fines. He says he will wait to see how his case Is handled in court.
“We wanted to make it known that we are being punished,” he said, “[but] we don’t want to make it harder to operate in the future.”
“Everyone is saying ‘essential,’ well it’s essential to put food on your table, it’s essential to be able to pay for your rent,” he added. “We need government to understand we did our due diligence, and we are not the problem.”
Expenses From Closures Piling Up
McGarity currently has three full-time and one part-time barber. Due to Level 3 restrictions, he also had to delay a new barber joining his team.
So far, he says his shop has experienced three closures due to the pandemic.
During these closures, McGarity has stopped charging his barbers chair rent, absorbing the loss of income while still having to pay overhead. He estimates he has lost more than $25,000.
McGarity says the level of support from customers, the Fredericton community, and people online has been incredible.
A GoFundMe page to help him pay fines has also reached over $3,700.
“My phone is off the hook constantly,” McGarity said.