A Little Off The Top Hair Salon

So, you walk into A Little Off The Top Hair Salon, and the first thing you smell isn’t that harsh, toxic perm solution. It’s buttered popcorn. I swear, it’s like a movie theater and a barbershop had a beautiful, slightly confused baby.

The Waiting Game (With Snacks)

Their waiting area looks like a garage sale exploded—an old arcade machine in the corner, mismatched velvet chairs, and a bowl of free candy that’s definitely just leftover Halloween loot. Last time, I sat next to a guy who was eating a bag of Cheetos while reading a book titled How to Succeed at Failure.

You don’t wait here; you hang out. The owner, Deb, once yelled at a customer for tipping too much, then gave him a free haircut as punishment. “You’re making me look bad!” she screamed, laughing.

The Stylists Are Secretly Superheroes

Every stylist has a special power. One can cut your hair while blindfolded—I saw her do it for a bet. Another knows exactly what you meant to ask for, even when you mumble, “Just, like, alive… but shorter.” They’re like mind readers, but with scissors.

And they love gossip. You will leave knowing the drama from three neighboring zip codes. One stylist, named Brenda, actually broke up a fight between two customers over the last appointment slot by declaring a thumb war. The loser had to buy coffee for everyone.

A LITTLE OFF THE TOP - Updated March 2025 - 330 King St, Newtown New

The Prices Make No Sense (And That’s Great)

Here’s a wild fact: a basic trim costs $18, but if you want them to use the special dryer that sounds like a dying cat, it’s $25. Nobody knows why. Deb just said, “Because I said so.” And you know what? You pay it, because it’s a story.

Another surprise: they have a “Mistake Menu.” If they screw up your bangs, you get a free soda and a coupon for a re-do. I’ve never seen anyone use it, because even the mistakes look weirdly cool—like abstract art on your forehead.

The Grand Finale: The Neck Shave

The best part is the end. They finish your cut, then they whip out a straight razor and shave the back of your neck with the dramatic flair of a magician pulling a rabbit from a hat. It’s oddly terrifying and relaxing at the same time. I call it the “trust fall of haircuts.”

A Little Off The Top Hair Salon - 108 Mulberry St, Elkader, IA 52043

One time, Brenda paused mid-shave, looked at my neck, and said, “You have the neck of a Olympic swimmer. I’m not sure if that’s a compliment, but I’m committing to it.” I still don’t know if that’s true, but I felt like gold medaling in post-haircut pride.

The Verdict

A Little Off The Top is not a salon. It’s a theater of human chaos where you get a great haircut and a therapy session for the price of a fancy latte. Go for the trim, stay for the existential debates about why hairstyles from 1992 are back in style.

And whatever you do, don’t mention the word “bangs” too loudly. They might start a dance-off. I’m not joking. It happened last Tuesday. The winner got a free bottle of shampoo. Loser had to sweep the floor. Living legend.