Person County hair stylist's efforts to open salon ends one day early

Jessica Wesley told WRAL on Wednesday she planned to open her Roxboro salon, The Room, on Friday. Instead, she tried to pen the doors a day earlier after she said there was an increase of clientele bookings.

Owner of Roxboro hair salon says she will open shop on Friday

Wesley said this was a matter of her freedom and the demand of her clients, something she just wasn't willing to give up nor let down regardless of the state coronavirus orders put into place.

As she carried her 10-month-old on Thursday, she said she wanted to make a statement.

“It’s here, it’s here to stay," Wesley said. "Just like every other virus that comes along. If I let sickness control me. I’m going to lose everything.”

She was able to style one person's hair before Roxboro police came in and asked her to comply with the orders.

“I did," Wesley said. "My point was already made. My support was already shown and it don’t need to go any further than that.”

Roxboro Mayor Merilyn Newell said she's glad Wesley was able to see the bigger picture.

“Both for her business, for her family and certainly in solidarity for other hair care professionals here in Person County who have been complying,” Newell said.

Wesley said moving forwards, when her shop is able to reopen, she will have sanitation stations, masks for guests and even plans to hire another stylist.