An Essex County barbershop has reopened and is taking its customers’ safety seriously during the pandemic.

“We want to give you an experience that you’re not used to,” says Billionaires Barbershop owner Antoine Smith.

The East Orange shop is helping people look their best while also staying healthy.

“We want to reassure them that we care more about them then they may care about themselves,” says Smith.

After every customer finishes getting their hair cut, the area is sanitized and disinfected. There are also temperatures checks at the door, a mask requirement and social distancing.

COVID-19 is not the only struggle that Smith has had to face.

“I was incarcerated back in 2000,” he says.

Smith learned how to cut hair while in prison and took that passion to create a better life for himself.

“I was fortunate enough in 2014 to be employed by Billionaires Barbershop, and a few years later, I had the opportunity to purchase it,” he says.

Smith says that he likes to build a lasting relationship with his clients as well.

The barbershop is by appointment only to follow social distancing rules.