'Color is my thing': New hair salon opens in Marshall

MARSHALL - Madison County residents now have another spot to get their hair cut, as a new hair salon opened in the plaza along N.C. 213, next to Madison Funeral Services.

Platinum Salon and Etc. owner Kellie Shelton opened for business in January.

Shelton has more than 16 years experience in cosmetology.

"We're established," Shelton said. "I already have a good clientele base. I've had them for years. They all followed me, even from Weaverville. I was excited about that."

The salon is open Monday through Wednesday, as Shelton is established part time at a spa in Asheville, where she works Thursday and Friday.

Shelton said the salon's location — in the same plaza as the new DMV spot in Marshall — have generated more traffic for the business.

"It's perfect for already established businesses," Shelton said.

Shelton said a number of residents couldn't help but to notice she opened a location in the same plaza as The Hair Place, a long-running hair salon owned by Jimmy Dean and Kathy Hensley since 1990.

"They've been in business forever," she said. "Jimmy Dean's done hair my whole life."

According to Shelton, she offers a variety of services that serve many different demographics.

"I'm versatile. I can do old hair styles and younger hair styles," Shelton said. "I keep it wide — I like my old people and I like my young people. They've built, built, built their business. So we don't affect each other."

Shelton said hair coloring is her specialty.

"Color is my thing," she said. "I love working with color. We have a lot of blondes."

According to Shelton, community members have told her they are relieved to have another hair salon in Marshall.

"They are excited about a new shop, because there are some local small (shops) that have closed," the owner said. "There are some local spots, but not many. This is the new and upcoming one."

Mountain Air Massage/Etc.

As the business is named Platinum Salon and Etc., Shelton said she wanted to include more offerings for her clients.

As such, Platinum also features a small boutique shop.

"The reason I added the 'etc.' to the name was to do some boutique stuff, because I have a business license along with my cosmetology license," Shelton said. "That way, if massage therapy, or nails, or whatever else eventually came in here, it would be covered with 'etc.'"

Also included in the et cetera component of the business is Emily Ramsey, who owns Mountain Air Massage, which is located in the Platinum Salon building.

Ramsey has been licensed in massage work for three years and specializes in deep-tissue massage.

Ramsey said the Madison community has been supportive of her business.

"They've been amazing," Ramsey said. "It's been really good. She's helped a lot with clientele."

A Mars Hill resident, Ramsey said she's excited about operating a brick and mortar in her home county.

"I love it," Ramsey said. "I love being close to home. It's a lot better than driving to Asheville. I've got three kids, so it's a lot better than having to drive out there and rush home. It's awesome."

Platinum Salon is open Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and is located at 1703 N.C. 213, Suite 5, in Marshall.

Shelton said she is looking for another stylist to join the Platinum Salon team.