Set Back By Pandemic And Fire, Chatham Salon Gets $15K Grant

CHATHAM, NJ — It hasn't been an easy pandemic for Les Cheveux Salon in Chatham, but the longstanding business recently received welcome news. Morris County officials brought a $15,000 check to the salon owner Wednesday as part of the county's Small Business Grant Program.

Lisa Widocki has operated Les Cheveux since 1988. The Main Street salon — like all salons in New Jersey — had to temporarily close for a few months in 2020, during the state's coronavirus lockdown. Just last February, a two-alarm fire that destroyed the Chatham Sandwich Shop also damaged Les Cheveux and Sunnywoods Florist nextdoor.

"We had to close during the pandemic for three months, and after we opened again we only had about 50 percent of our normal business return," Widocki said. "I think we had been at about 85 percent of our business when the fire happened."

Luxe on Main — a different salon located a few shops down the road — provided space in its shop for Widocki to conduct business since February. Les Cheveux continues to operate at Luxe on Main (234 Main St.).

The Morris County Board of Commissioners dedicated $10 million in federal funding to its small-business grant program, which will help small businesses and nonprofits recover from pandemic setbacks. The program — launched on Valentine's Day under the slogan "Morris County Loves Small Business" — has received more than 575 applications, with many already approved or under review.

The commissioners have personally delivered checks to several businesses since the program launched. Chatham Borough Mayor Thad Kobylarz and Council Members Len Resto and Karen Koronkiewicz also joined County Commissioner Director Tayfun Selen when he delivered the grant check to Widocki.

The funding comes from the county's share of American Rescue Plan Act monies. The county continues to review applications, but the program remains open to new applications at no cost to apply. Click here for more info.

The Small Business Grant Program eligibility requirements include, but are not limited to:

• The business has 25 or fewer full-time employees (or equivalent)
• In operation since Jan. 1, 2019
• Located within Morris County
• Less than $5 million in sales/revenue
• Proof of a decline in sales/increased expenses due to the pandemic

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