Luther, who owns Salon À la Mode and Hot Mess Enterprises, gained national attention in April when she opened her salon after Dallas ordered the temporary closure of all non-essential businesses in March. She publicly ripped up the court orders at a protest.
During Tuesday's hearing, Dallas County Judge Eric Moye said he would consider reducing the fines if she apologized and not reopen until she was legally allowed to do so. However, Luther refused. She told the court she kept her salon open out of financial necessity. “I couldn’t feed my family, and my stylists couldn’t feed their families,” Luther testified, saying she had applied for a federal loan but didn’t receive it until Sunday.
“Feeding my kids is not selfish,” she told Judge Moye. “If you think the law is more important than kids getting fed, then please go ahead with your decision, but I am not going to shut the salon.”Following Georgia's reopening last week, Governor Greg Abbott said that Texan salons, barbershops, and nail salons can reopen this Friday, but recommends that both employees and customers follow CDC guidelines by wearing face masks.