Heather Priestly and her business Uptown Salon have been helping women beyond their hair needs for the last 15 years. A Craig, Colorado native, she came to town 17 years ago and first set up shop in Naturita with a friend.
She later started her own salon in Norwood. First, she was in the office space where the laundry center on Grand Avenue now sits. After that, she occupied what is now Local Liquor.
She’s been at her current location — 1630 Grand Ave. — the last eight years.
There, she offers hair services like cuts, colors, perms and also facial waxing. Jessi Mills works in the shop also doing hair, as well as manicures, pedicures and gel nails too.
According to Priestly though, what they’re offering goes way beyond beauty services. She and Mills work to be present with clients in a way that means more than a haircut.
“My whole philosophy is when you’re in there, it’s about you,” she said. “It’s not about me or anything else, just making you feel good. … We honestly call it hair therapy.”
Priestly said most of her clients are like family. They talk to her about their lives. They spend time one-on-one with her, and important conversations take place. Priestly said people tend to confide in her, and those women know Priestly won’t share their personal stories on main street.
In fact, she has a sign inside the shop that reads, “What happens in the salon stays in the salon.” — and she means it.
In addition to the appointments that can be made through Uptown Salon, Priestly has retail items for sale. That includes Redkin, Lanza and Verb hair products, along with some Matrix and Amika.
She also sells therapeutic grade essential oils, something that Priestly said has meant a lot to her and her family’s overall health. She also carries some CBD products, like salve, that can support inflammation in the body.
Recently, Uptown Salon joined forced with Clutter Busters Consignment. Now, Sara Owens is also stocking a shelf in the salon with retail items that she interchanges regularly.
Weekly, the shop is open Monday through Friday and Saturdays by appointment. Currently, the hours vary. Priestly said some days she’s there from 7:30 a.m. to around 3 p.m.; others she works 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mills tends to work in the evenings.
Uptown Salon will be open on Noel Night from 5 p.m. to around 8 p.m. after the parade. Priestly will serve sugar cookies and drinks. She’ll have drawings so that patrons can receive discounts. They’ll get anywhere from 10-50 percent off their purchases.
All customers who buy something are eligible to win an Amika Hot Tools item. Priestly said it’s similar to a flat iron, but has a brush and works even better.
“It’s easy to use, doesn’t take as long, and it’s not as damaging to hair,” she said. “It leaves volume in the hair, and doesn’t just straighten it.”
She’ll have other giveaways that night too.
Jessi Mills will also announce the winner of her makeover contest. Mills has the last few weeks been taking before and after photos of her clients’ cut and color appointments. The public has been voting for their favorites on Facebook. Through Uptown, Mills will give away a basket of hair care products.
For Priestly, another Noel Night is exciting. She’s close to celebrating nearly two decades doing business. That, she said, means a lot.