Written by Ben Cox – Tucked neatly into a small storefront on Baker Street in downtown is a business that is turning heads, literally, all across town. Shearly Southern is a full service salon run by two local women: Alisha Newton and Krystal Butler, who run what is clearly a “Feels Like Home” kind of business.
Offering everything from traditional wash, cut, and dry services, to spray tanning and eyelash tinting, Shearly Southern tucks all of its services into a quaintly-decorated older building with a charm all its own. Colorful and mismatched vanities act as the stylists’ stations, a coffee bar is complementary to customers, and a play area at the front entertains little ones while they wait on their parents.
Serving men, women and children, Newton and Butler show a love of styling hair that goes back to childhood. Newton tells a story of some of her earliest days cutting hair.
In High School, “there were incidences of putting down a sheet in a bedroom or bathroom” of either her parents house or her best friends house “without letting our parents know that we could’ve possibly butchered some hair. I kinda knew then I liked it. There were no emergency repair trips to an actual salon, I knew then that I kinda liked it,” she says through a stifled laugh.
Newton came back home to Brownwood after an eight year absence when her husband’s military career took them to other parts of the country. Upon her return she decided it was time for her to do something that she loved and began the process of learning how to style hair and working in a salon.
Born in Odessa, Butler moved to to the area as a child, starting the fourth grade in Brookesmith. After attending Tarleton University to become an Ag Teacher, she changed her mind and started working towards owning her own business.
When people walk in, both Newton and Butler want to make everyone feel at home.
“Making people feel their best, look their best,” Newton says is the goal of the business, and the salon is not just for the ladies either. “Men, Women, Children, Grandmas, Grandpas, we got it all,” she explained.
When asked what she would say to people who are thinking about coming to the salon, Newton borrows a line from The Price is Right, “C’mon Down!”
She also says that every stylist who rents a booth from them is capable of doing the same level of quality work as the owners.
The salon is at 110 E Baker, and appointments can be made by calling 325-704-0006. Their Facebook Page gives a glimpse at the services offered and a peek at the salon. Hours vary by stylist, but the doors are typically open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. with walk-ins welcome and after hours appointments available by request.
