There was a small but noticeable buzz along Concession Street June 19.

Hair salons, tattoo parlours and outdoor patios along the usually busy commercial district were permitted to re-open in a limited way as Hamilton’s moved to Level 2 in the coronavirus pandemic.

For Concession Street regulars Tim Healy and Richard Lewis, it was a chance to enjoy a beverage outside Candi Werx.

“It’s real nice,” said Healy from behind his mask.

“I can breathe again,” added Lewis.

Down the street at the Red Avenue hair salon Bev Russ was all smiles.

“I couldn’t be happier,” sad the Mountain resident as she was having her hair done for the first time since March. “People are starting to live the new normal.”

Red Avenue owner Nancy Fabiani was thrilled to be back in business.

“I can’t wait to see everyone again,” said Fabiani, who will celebrate 10 years on Concession Street next month.

Like most of the other salons and parlours that are reopening, Fabiani is seeing one client at a time by appointment only.

Fabiani said she is supplying clients with disposable masks if they don’t have one and her protective equipment includes a face-shield, gloves and apron.

And there was no lack of business when she reopened her doors.

“I’m booked up until about the end of July,” she said.

There are similar stories along Concession Street.

Dita Kocjan had to close her Silver Skull Tattoo Studio last March only a couple of days after it opened.

But she hit the ground running when she reopened.

“I’m four months booked in advance,” said Kocjan who sees one or two clients a day. “It feels pretty good and a bit stressful because now we had to set everything up.”

Kocjan noted there is a strong demand for tattoos in Hamilton which can take anywhere from a couple of hours to a full day to have done.

“They are addictive,” Kocjan said.

June 22 was the first official day of business for Kaitlynn Showler at the Drip Beauty Parlor.

She was about to open last March with a waiting list of 50 people when the pandemic forced her to lock her door.

Showler said she was ecstatic to learn she could reopen.

“I’m pretty sure all my neighbours heard me scream with excitement,” she said.

Showler said he opted to wait a few days to reopen so she could make a few final touches and upgrades to her business, including erecting a wall to separate the hair part of the parlour from the eyelash area.

“I’m booked for two weeks right now,” Showler said.

Cristina Geissler, executive director of the Concession Street Business Improvement Area, said moving to Stage 2 enables more businesses to reopen safely.

“These have been very difficult times, so we are excited to start to see more life and movement supporting our local shops and services,” Geissler said.