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Hairdressers operates out of temporary location

T-R PHOTO BY SARA JORDAN-HEINTZ - Hairdressers Salon & Tanning has been a staple downtown business for the past 49 years. However, the July 19 tornado forced the salon to temporarily set up shop inside the Nicholas Center, 2501 S. Center St. The salon was founded by Bonnie Gaskill, right, and is now owned by her son Shawn Hovel, left.

Hairdressers Salon & Tanning has been a staple downtown business for the past 49 years. However, the July 19 tornado forced the salon to temporarily set up shop inside the Nicholas Center, 2501 S. Center St.

The salon was founded by Bonnie Gaskill on March 17, 1970 at 19 S. First St. She sold the business to her son Shawn Hovel in September 2015. Daughter Tracy Bolar is also employed there.

“I did flooring for 25 years and I was ready (to operate a salon), and mom was ready to retire,” Hovel said.

Gaskill still spends time working in the salon, as well as hairstylist Georgie Templeton, who has been with the business since day one.

The day of the tornado, Hovel was attending classes while his mother and staff were working at the salon. Around 10 people, including customers, were inside at the time.

“I was trying to hold the door shut while everyone was in the basement,” Gaskill said. “I stood by the door, going to the basement and I watched the tornado going through and all the stuff rolling around. It was quick and then it was over.”

At first, Gaskill breathed a sigh of relief. The building appeared in tact.

“Then I heard water running and went to the back of the building and there’s this big hole in the roof. But then the rains started and kept coming for days and flooded the lower level. We have no heat or electricity,” she said.

Gaskill, who owns the building, said the repair process is going well.

“The building is not connected to neighboring buildings,” she said.

The goal is to move back into the original space in April 2019.

“We really want to thank Jill Craft who got us in our temporary location (at the Nicholas Center),” Hovel said. “I don’t know what we would have done if this space hadn’t been available.”

Hovel said he is taking the opportunity to revamp the original building and is planning a grand reveal at a date to be determined.

“We’re going to do a complete remodel so it will be a whole new salon with a lot of really neat things,” he said.

The salon is open Tuesdays through Saturdays and may be reached at 641-752-4910.

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