Carson resident opens salon in former Great Clips

A young Carson City resident who's always dreamed of owning her own salon has now taken the helm of the former Great Clips suite in Gardnerville and renamed it A Little Off the Top.

"It's stressful but exciting," said new owner and licensed cosmetologist Chelsie Reddick. "It's what I've always dreamed, but now it's kind of do or die."

Reddick, 25, has called Carson City home since relocating from South Dakota about a year ago. She worked as the manager of the Gardnerville Great Clips for three months before the salon closed in April.

"When it closed, so many people were bummed," she said. "There was a big clientele, and I want to try to keep that going, hopefully, while keeping prices reasonable."

Opening after a prolonged period of closure was difficult, Reddick said, but nonetheless business has been decent. She said growing up in a small farm town in South Dakota has helped her resonate with Carson Valley residents.

"I think I would like to keep the business small-town and local," she said. "There are good people down here. It's more my element."

The salon offers haircuts for men, women and children, hair coloring, perms, up-dos, waxing and shampoo sets. But it is the connection with customers while they're being worked on that Reddick likes most about the job.

"I'm a people person," she said. "I just enjoy people."

At the same time, Reddick knows she has to offer a consistent product to keep people coming in. She has three stylists on staff and another, Minden Abele, joining ranks in October.

"We're kid-friendly, and walk-ins are always welcome," Reddick said. "We're affordable but offer very good quality."

A Little Off the Top is located at 1329 Highway 395, Suite 18, Gardnerville. Business hours are 9 a.m. to closing Monday through Saturday and Sunday by appointment. Information, 783-3288.