The Hair Gallery goes west
Kim Nelson of Amissville is a noted local equestrian, having studied at Morven Park International Equestrian Institute. She orchestrates popular county trail rides and provides not only horse training but riding lessons as well. Behind the scenes of the annual, fairy-tale charming Christmas at Little Washington parade, she executes well-honed organizational skills as part of a team of devoted volunteers and also saddles up for the ever-popular Desperate Horsewives procession.
Kim is quite a gifted hairstylist as well. She is the owner and stylist of the Hair Gallery LLC. Her salon offers cuts, colors, highlights, permanent waves, relaxers, updos, facial waxing, manicures and pedicures. The salon was located for many years on Main Street in Washington, and recently moved to Main Street in Sperryville. She, along with talented hairstylist Chandra Graves, who has been with Kim for 9½ years, celebrate the salon’s grand opening from 1 to 5 p.m. this Sunday (June 26).
There’s an ample parking lot behind the building, once the site of a dilapidated barn. The 176-year-old main building was a former home, recently housing several apartments, and is now undergoing a total renovation. While the upstairs remains an apartment, newly rented, the downstairs is being completely transformed to house the salon.
As I viewed the construction in progress, admiring the equestrian-themed paintings adorning freshly painted walls, Kim mentioned that her husband, Bruce, was doing the majority of the work himself. I asked if he was a handyman. She laughed and said, “Well, he is now.”
She adds that “our best friends from Richmond helped build the handicapped ramp and paint and paint and paint. We love them dearly. A high five to all of our crews who were the best to work with.” It’s a lovely place, indeed; much of the wood from the barn is being used to build interior furniture and provide a rustic, authentic, “shabby chic” ambiance. The building is nestled between the magical “Rose Cottage” and Baby Bear Day Care, and directly across Main Street from Before & After, a country-chic espresso cafe with a recent wine bar and market addition.
Hair Gallery will be open 1 to 5 Sunday, 9 to 9 Monday, 9 to 3 Tuesday-Wednesday, 1 to 9 Thursdays and weekends by appointment at 32 Main Street in Sperryville. Home services for shut-ins is available and as always children and walkins are welcome. Kim can be reached at 540 675-3076 or 540-987-5010; website is at hairgallerywashingtonva.com.
Good luck in your new location, Kim, and with Sunday’s grand opening!