Mountain View Hair Gallery, once known as Linda’s Hair Taker in Mill Spring, is getting back what it’s given to many women in the area – a whole new look.
New owner Nornny Gallo brought in new shelving, put carpeting – yes, carpeting – on the wall, created a faux fireplace and installed brand new cabinets made by an area carpenter.
“I only hope to take what Linda has built and update it,” Gallo said.
Updating the salon goes beyond a fresh coat of paint. Gallo plans to introduce age defying classes, blowout (hair drying) classes and even potentially yoga.
“I like to help women feel beautiful inside and out,” Gallo said. “If you feel beautiful, you will look better.”
Linda Short, longtime owner of Linda’s Hair Taker, recently transferred ownership of her salon to Gallo. Short, meanwhile, plans to go into “semi-retirement,” working fewer days and handing over the business management end to Gallo. Gallo herself has spent 30-plus years in the beauty industry.
“I’m ready to see if there is a life out there beyond hair, even though I love hair and I love the people,” Short said. “This community has done a lot for me and I tried to be as available as I could be to them.”
And the people love her for it.
Mary Short, Linda’s aunt, has seen it first-hand.

“Never a restaurant could we go in that someone wasn’t coming up to her and saying hello or asking her how she was,” Mary Short said. “I don’t care where we went, it made me feel like I wasn’t lost when I moved here, because so many people accepted me because of her.”
Working at the chair right beside Linda’s is Jennifer Kilgore.
Kilgore said women have always come through the door to talk with Linda about their lives – losing parents, frustrations at work, drama in relationships.
“Linda is a very close friend and a tremendous inspiration in my life,” Kilgore said. “People will stop in and give her a hug whether she is doing their hair or not.”
Gallo said she hopes that “Steel Magnolias” atmosphere continues to thrive under her ownership. She plans to add a refreshment stand with coffee and tea, as well as art made by herself and other area artists that will be for sale.