J. Russell Salon In Palm Desert Closing After 36 Years

PALM DESERT, CA — A desert classic is closing its doors at the end of the year.

"... after 36 years of helping people look & feel beautiful here in the desert, the time has come for David & Meg Firestone to close J. Russell! The Salon," a post on the iconic salon's social media platforms read Tuesday.

State and county health and safety guidelines that salons must follow to slow coronavirus spread pushed the husband-and-wife team to make the difficult choice.

"This decision was not easy and made with a heavy heart. We would like to thank the wonderful stylists and artists who have made this salon an icon in the desert, we have been blessed to have the finest staff any business owner could ask for," the social media post read. "We hope you all know how much we have appreciated our loyal clients and guests that have visited us over the years, J. Russell is known as the top Salon in the Valley and for that, we thank you all. Our last day of business will be 12/31/2020."

To help slow the spread of coronavirus, hair salons across the state were ordered temporarily closed in March by Gov. Gavin Newsom — and it's been a rocky road ever since.

Salons were allowed to reopen in late May in Riverside County, but then in July had to close again or move operations outdoors as coronavirus cases spiked. When the governor announced the state's "Blueprint for a Safer Economy" in late August, Riverside County's "purple tier" designation meant salon owners could reopen indoors but with safety modifications that have been updated.

With the current rising virus spread and hospitalizations, the governor has signaled there may be more restrictions announced this week.

J. Russell has grown to become a full-service salon offering hair, nail, skin and makeup services.

"... under the current business restrictions, we are saddened to say that we just can’t find a way to maintain the salon in a manner that makes sense for the stylists and for ourselves, while always having the health and safety of everyone at heart,” Meg told the Desert Sun.