Barb's Beauty Salon --
for all your hair care needs
by Olivia Richards,
Herman Review
Step into Barb's Beauty Salon in Herman and you will find manager-owner-operator, Barb Bartell, licensed beautician, ready to take care of all your hair needs. Services she offers include hair cuts/style, permanent waves, shampoo/set, or a color/highlight.
Barb's Beauty Salon is the only full-service beauty salon in Herman. Working alone, her "office" hours sometimes vary, depending on a client's needs. She has shown up at the "office" as early as 6 a.m., she says, and has stayed until 8 p.m.
Barb's Beauty Salon has been at its present location, 402 Atlantic Avenue, that is, at the south end of main street along Hwy. 9, for the past 36 years. Her fixtures include two wet stations with comfortable chairs, and two stationary hair dryers. The tools of her trade are scissors, combs, hair rollers, perm rods, curling irons, and blow dryers. Hair care products available at Barb's Beauty Salon are Scruples and Matrix products.
Barb noted that hair styles have gone through changes over the years, from bouffants to a straight look, and now styles are quite casual, using a blow dryer and a curling iron to reach the desired look.
Barb attended beauty school just after graduating from high school in Waterloo, Iowa. She grew up in Clarkfield, Iowa. So, you ask, how did she arrive in Herman? It seems Jerry Bartell, her husband, and a farmer in rural Herman where they make their home, made a few trips to Clarkfield to visit his mother's relatives when they met. They were married in January, 1966. Barb worked at Lillian's Beauty Salon in Wheaton for a year before she opened her own salon in Herman at its present location.
Barb hasn't always worked alone. From 1978 through 1988 Bonnie Thompson worked with Barb as a stylist. Bonnie left Herman to begin her own business in Litchfield.
Barb enjoys what she does, making many friends over the years. "I've heard a lot of troubles, but I have heard a lot of joys, too," she said. She is thankful for their continued patronage.
Barb and Jerry raised four children while she ran the salon. She said she couldn't have done it without the capable baby sitting of Betty Elrite.
When Barb isn't at the salon, she enjoys making crafts, gardening, camping, and spending time with her family.
Barb's Beauty Salon is open Tuesdays through Fridays, with regular business hours from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. Appointments can be made by calling 320-677-2515.
New customers are always welcome.
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