My uncle is struggling to keep his salon open
“Epicenter.” That’s what our beloved city has been reduced to. The city that never sleeps, was officially put to sleep by this thing called covid. Frank Sinatra crooned about it, said he wants to be a part of it, and now every resident has run away from it- New York City.
The hustle and bustle of the streets of New York, have become a miserable ghost town. With everyone moving out, due to extreme lockdowns driven by fear and caution, our fellow New Yorkers, restauranteurs and salon owners have been ravaged by this merciless tornado.
My heart aches seeing gates down, blocks and blocks of stores for rent. And while I pray for our restless city to return, it does not look like that will be happening anytime soon, if ever. I’m compelled to reach out at this trying time, on behalf of my dear uncle who’s been like a father to me, and to all of my cousins.
My uncle Isaac, owner of the Isaac Gabai Salonin the heart of NYC, has been struggling so hard, doing everything he possibly can to keep his head up from drowning. He is about to lose everything. This single father of 3 has been struggling to pay rent for both home and business, as well as providing for his children. Ever since the pandemic, he’s been closing down the salon going weeks without seeing a single face in his styling chair. His permanent smile will make you think everything is okay, but his eyes tell another story. His oldest child is getting married soon. He managed to save up some money over time, to help give his daughter the wedding any loving father dreams to give his little girl.I had recently learned that the pain of my uncle seeing his employees struggling with no work, no money, and sheer anxiety , motivated my uncle, to take the money he saved up for his daughter’s wedding, to personally help his employees from his own pocket.
This is a man who would leave work, go sleep in the hospital beside his dying sister (my mother) wake up and go back to work, and do it all over again every single day. Never giving himself a moment of peace or personal time.
Isaac is the most selfless human being on the planet. Everyone from his clients to his family and friends have all been helped by Isaac in some way. I feel responsible to help give back and find a way to help my uncle in his most trying time. Isaac has been a charitable friend to all, with the most open heart to everyone who’s ever met him. Please help Isaac keep his salon open, so that he can continue to provide for his children. Gd Bless.
