HILLS

Hills may be a small town, but it offers up big services like Salon 218, the newly established personalized salon experience catering to each and every whim of the customer; a place where you can walk in, be remembered, make small talk and leave satisfied.

Salon 218, owned by Washington native Heather Tritle, opened in February 2024 and has been off to a hot start.

“Hills just lost Danny Bush, who was the barber. I’ve been able to take care of some of his old clients and just listening to them, they say great things about [Bush]. That’s been an honor, to be here for the people that lost such a great barber that they had for years,” Tritle said. “I’ve gotten a lot of really positive feedback.”

Tritle, who has worked in the hair industry for over 19 years, most enjoys working in a new environment, greeting each and every new face along the way.

“I was a little nervous because I wasn’t from here,” Tritle said. “People have been so supportive and nice, and the community has been great.”

Salon 218 has a small staff led by Tritle. Once fully assembled by the end of 2024, the team will have three part-timers alongside Tritle to provide the best possible care.

“I have one stylist right now; her name is Liz. She is excellent, love her,” Tritle said.  “Liz has done hair for 30 years. She retired from the University of Iowa as the salon manager there [and] is part time here.”

“I have a lash tech who is just getting ready to take her state boards, and then she’ll be here a good amount of time. And then I have another stylist that’s joining us in August when she graduates,” Tritle added.

Tritle herself graduated from Maryland University in Missouri before working at a string of different hair salons. After the salon she managed was closed down, Tritle began to ponder if owning a hair salon was feasible.

“I kind of went on my own. [I] wanted to see what it was like to open my own salon at that point,” Tritle said.

This brought the Washington native back home to take ownership of Bronzed Bliss in 2010, Tritle’s first go at owning a hair salon.

“I did that and loved it,” Tritle said. Bronzed Bliss closed in 2015, allowing Tritle to step back from the hair industry. “When I got out of doing hair, I knew if I came back, I’d want to have my own salon again.”

Tritle never let go of her hair salon equipment, waiting for the perfect opportunity to enter the scene once more.

While waitressing part-time at Old 218 Tap – the bar/restaurant right next door – Tritle discovered the empty building that would eventually house Salon 218.

The owner of the building happened to be Tritle’s boss at Old 218 Tap, allowing her a direct line for inquiry.

After sorting details, the owners paid for a remodel, allowing Tritle to design the salon as she pleased.

This allowed Tritle to create a wholly unique, inviting and warm space well-suited for everyone.

“The guys next door at Old 218 Tap own this building. They’re awesome,” Tritle said. “It was empty [and] had to be totally remodeled. They did let me pick out the flooring and the wall colors and basically design it the way I wanted to. They were like, ‘Whatever flooring you want, whatever wall color you want.’ They were just happy, I think, to not have to make all the small decisions.”

After the full-scale remodel, Salon 218 was ready for the public. Especially with the closure of the town’s barbershop, Salon 218’s timing couldn’t have been better.

“Hills is awesome, they’ve been amazing,” Tritle said. “I have nothing but good things to say about it.”

Salon 218 offers “general hair services” like cuts and colors, perming, eyelash work, facial waxing and more. Tritle’s favorite service is coloring hair; “Colors are my thing!” she says.

Salon 218, located at 104 Main St. in Hills, is a perfect distance between the greater Iowa City area and towns like Riverside.

Salon 218 is open Monday-Saturday, offering scheduled appointments between 8-7 and walk-ins between 10-6. Simple haircuts range from $18-$40.

To schedule an appointment, call (319) 679-3218 or send an email to salon2182023@gmail.com. Additionally, Salon 218 can be followed on Facebook and Instagram.