'It’s euphoria’: Michaelangelo’s Barbershop & Nails reopens in Worcester, offering appointments to children with developmental challenges first

What lies beyond the pandemic? MassForward is MassLive’s series examining the journey of Massachusetts’ businesses through and beyond the coronavirus pandemic.

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For two months, Michaelangelo Mangual’s hair clippers remained sidelined. The only action they received occurred on his back porch, cutting the hair of his two children, Mikhail and Caleb.

The act of cutting hair provided a sense of normal for Mangual, who operates Michaelangelo’s Barbershop and Nails on Green Street in Worcester. It also reminded him of the reality.

The coronavirus pandemic closed his shop. It kept him without an income for two months.

Tuesday, Mangual inched closer to a new normal as he reopened Michaelangelo’s.

“It’s the biggest feeling of euphoria that I’ve ever felt in my life,” Mangual said. “That's not overstating it. That’s the perfect way I can say it. It’s euphoria because now I can go to sleep tonight knowing I was able to conduct business and feed my family.”

As Mangual began to develop a plan for reopening he thought of those haircuts on his back porch. He remembered the difficulty, the squirming and uneasiness of his children.

He then thought of others, specifically children with autism, down syndrome and other developmental challenges.

Michaelangelo’s, which will open to the public on June 1, is scheduling appointments this week for children. As required by state guidelines, patrons must make an appointment first. He’s already accepting reservations into July.

Wednesday afternoon, 5-year-old Damian, who has autism, sat in Mangual’s chair. It wasn’t his first visit to Michaelangelo’s, but his father, Damian Rucker and Mangual, couldn’t remember a trip that went better.

“This environment was 10 times better and it helped him a lot,” Rucker said.

Rucker was also able to get a trim.

“I felt fine, safe, comfortable and excited,” Rucker said. “It’s been two months since I came in. It felt good coming in. I’m happy to be here. Everything was up to date and comfortable for me and my son.”

Comfort is Mangual’s top priority in reopening a barbershop that’s built on operating within six feet of another individual.

“It’s [supposed to be] six feet apart but you’re touching the person, already it’s a red flag,” Manugal said. “The law says six feet and we’re already breaking the law. We’re like the one people allowed to break the law right now.”

While not an actual law, the state guidelines require business owners to follow social distancing protocols.

The state and city checklists welcomed patrons as they entered on the top floor of the Crompton Building in the Canal District. Walking through the door, a thermometer, two bottles of hand sanitizer sat on a table next to a sign-in sheet required for everyone who enters. It allows Mangual to contact trace if necessary.

When patrons sit in the chair for a haircut, Mangual has implemented protocols to ensure the customer’s safety as well as his.

Michaelangelo’s will use disposable or washable capes for each client or household. Damian and his son shared a cape on Wednesday. After one use, washable capes will be taken out of service until they can be sanitized and washed.

Mangual uses new gloves for each patron and wears a mask throughout the haircut. Customers are also required to wear masks.

When beard trimming resumes, the barbers at Michaelangelo’s will wear face shields. Currently, Mangual is only joined by Felix Martinez. Six other chairs remain empty. Mangual expects them to return in July. They’re currently claiming unemployment benefits.

“They’re taking care of their families right now, getting mentally adjusted, so when they do come here in July they can actually cut and shave,” Mangual said.

Michaelangelo’s applied for both Worcester grants and Paycheck Protection Program loans. A life vest came in the form of a $5,000 grant from the city.

Mangual was also able to navigate through the two-month closure through the PPP and Small Business Administration Loans.

Mangual plans to use the money to make up for two months of rent he hasn’t been able to pay. He’s thankful his landlord, Dino Lorusso who owns Crompton Place, has been flexible with him.

“They’ve been really clear and helpful,” Mangual said. “They communicate well. During times like this a lot of places aren’t communicating well. The city of Worcester has been communicating really well.”

Michaelangelo’s also sold raffle tickets for a free haircut, a free beard trimming and $10 coupon off a service. He sold 125 tickets. They were sold as one for $3, two for $5, and five for $10. Mangual also experienced a surge in gift card purchases.

“The patrons of Michaelangelo’s have been the most courteous and loving people that I have seen in my life,” Mangual said.

For the last two days, Mangual finally returned to serving those patrons. He also began a new normal of finishing the day. The entire space is cleaned. When he gets home, Mangual takes off his clothes in the hallway and goes straight to the shower, limiting contact with his family.

It’s a routine he’ll follow to reopen his business.

“The one thing I have to do is get back in here because I’m Michaelangelo at the end of the day,” Mangual said. “This is my business and this is my only way of income of feeding my family.”

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