Newton Citizen

Stylin' at the Mill owner Linda Finger, seated, is shown here in her new salon, along with her staff of stylists, from left, Kerri Young, Carey Maynor and Deborah Walker.

Stylin' at the Mill owner Linda Finger is hopeful that by opening up her new full service hair and tanning salon at 2116 Main St. in Porterdale, she'll do her part to boost business in the Porterdale Mill development area along the Yellow River.

"We've been trying to build our downtown area and felt like this was a need," said Finger, who's lived in Porterdale for 16 years. "We'd been thinking about it for quite some time."

Stylin' at the Mill, which opened in September, offers a full array of hair service -- including cuts, color, perms, weaves and foils -- along with eyebrow and chin waxing, and two turbo tanning beds.

Finger said the salon serves men, women and children.

"That seems to be a question a lot of people are asking," said Finger.

Three stylists are employed at the salon -- Carey Maynor who has worked in the field for two decades; Deborah Walker, who has 35 years of hairstyling experience; and Kerri Young, a relative newcomer to the profession with two years of salon work under her belt.

All three women came to the salon with an established clientele, and Finger said she hopes more customers stop in and try out the salon.

In addition to the hair services, the tanning options are also a draw, said Finger.

"We've never had tanning beds in the downtown area. It seems to be very popular right now," she said.

Though Finger is not a hairstylist herself, she is an experienced business owner who, in addition to operating the salon, runs a residential and commercial cleaning service. She also serves on the Porterdale City Council.

"I just feel this is something the City needs," said Finger of her new endeavor.

Stylin' at the Mill is open Tuesdays through Fridays, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., though the hair stylists can be flexible with their times, said Finger. The business is closed on Sundays and Mondays. Walk-in are welcome.

For more information, call 770-784-2312.