Heather Easterling and Tiffany Edwards partnered to open Grace SalonSpa in April. (Photo by Anthony Richards)

With several salons throughout Chilton County, it can be difficult to stand out and create an identity.

However, Grace SalonSpa has had the look and feel of something quite different since Heather Easterling and Tiffany Edwards opened the business in April.

“We’re trying to bring something a little different to Clanton,” Easterling said. “If people feel comfortable, it makes them want to come back.”

Both Easterling and Edwards have worked at local salons in previous years and have developed a clientele over that time.

“We wanted to have something of our own,” Easterling said. “We strive to have a welcoming and classy environment with a friendly atmosphere that you notice as soon as you walk in the door.”

Though the salon relies heavily on its regular customers, walk-ins are also accepted and are vital to beginning stylists who may not have prior relationships built up.

Grace SalonSpa’s Staff includes eight hair stylists and Edwards who also does the spa portion of the salon by offering options such as facials, microdermabrasion treatments, permanent eye makeup.

“I don’t know of anybody else in Clanton that does skin care,” Edwards said. “People are surprised when they first walk in.”

The stylists take pride in their works, because they realize that once someone walks out the door with a hairstyle, it is a testament to their work and a reflection of the salon as a whole.

“This is not a job that I have ever dreaded going to,” Easterling said. “You’re customers become like family over time.”

The back part of the salon is home to Ella Ruth Boutique, which is run by Hannah Machen and offers a selection of clothing items.

“I try to shop from different places and get ideas from New York City to Mountain Brook,” Machen said. “I try to bring those to Clanton, for people that don’t want to drive hours out of the way.”

Grace SalonSpa is looking to add a nail specialist, proving that in a community full of boutiques, it continually looks to add to its already vast customer options.