The first Passover after Messick opened Salon Kids was two years ago. Even though she is Jewish, Messick said she was completely unaware of the tradition prohibiting haircuts after Passover and was unprepared for the onslaught of customers the Sunday before the holiday that year. She had just two stylists that day.
"All these people came," she said, and she could not handle them.
Last year was better. This year, she said, she was even more prepared. She had every employee working. She started taking appointments nine and 10 months ago. She brought in trays of sandwich fixings for her staff because there would be no time for breaks.
"We opened early," Messick said, "and we're staying late."
Sophie Salzberg knew it would be mobbed yesterday at the salon - but she had no choice. It was the only time she could fit haircuts into a packed schedule, which included a birthday party as one of the next stops. And she would not spend the next six weeks looking at ever-shaggier Eli, 7, and Benjamin, 9.
"This haircut has to last," she said. "We've got to see family. Everyone's got to look good."
Without cuts, she said, "I wouldn't be able to tolerate it - not that the boys would notice, but I would."
On the other side of the room, 15-year-old Tamar Weiss and her three sisters watched as friend Chaya Griego, 17, received the finishing touches on her long, dark tresses from stylist Lisa Bosley. The salon is usually busy, said her sister and fellow stylist Chrissy Bosley, but not usually like this.
Tamar and two sisters had their hair done Friday. Chaya and the youngest Weiss girl had their turns yesterday.
"Everyone's doing it," Chaya said.
stephanie.desmon@baltsun.com
