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Meet Your Neighbor: Mary Gilland of J. Booth Salon
For about the past year, Stacey, Lily and I have all been getting our hair cut by Mary Gilland at J. Booth Salon in Mooresville. So for this week's Meet Your Neighbor, I thought it would be fun to learn a little more about the person holding the scissors.
It turns out doing hair wasn't Mary's original career plan.
Mary went to Appalachian State University and initially studied nursing before eventually graduating with a degree in public health. She knew she wanted a career where she could work with people and make a difference in how they felt, and for a long time she assumed that meant working in healthcare.
Her time around the medical field, particularly during COVID, made her realize it wasn't the right fit. But the part that attracted her to it in the first place never changed.
"I've always known I wanted to help people and make people feel good," Mary told me.
Lily got her hair done for her wedding coming up on Sep 4th
She decided to take a chance and go to cosmetology school instead. Three years later, she says she's found exactly what she was looking for.
"I get to make people feel beautiful inside and out."
What I found interesting during our conversation was Mary's description of what a good hairstylist actually does. It's a lot more involved than having someone sit down and asking, "What do you want to do today?"
"We're almost like hair doctors," she joked.
Mary says they talk with clients about their goals, what's been frustrating them and what they want their hair to do. At J. Booth, they also consider things like face shape, color analysis and lifestyle to figure out what actually works for each person.
"Hair is part of your identity," Mary said. "It has so much to do with your everyday life."
There's also quite a bit of Mooresville history behind J. Booth Salon. The business traces its roots back to Edna Booth, grandmother of current owner Jen, who turned her talent for doing hair into a career and eventually opened her own salon.
Jen essentially grew up in the business, starting out sweeping floors and learning alongside her grandmother. Today, that family influence still shows up in how the salon operates.
One thing Mary really likes about J. Booth is that the stylists work as a team. If someone gets behind, another stylist doesn't just watch them struggle. They introduce themselves to the client, jump in and help.
When Mary's not at the salon, her interests might surprise you.
Despite spending her workdays in a salon, she's much more likely to spend her free time hiking or camping than shopping or getting her nails done. She's usually accompanied by two Bernedoodles named Lily and Ivy, whom she helped raise and train and now jokes she shares "partial custody" of with her dad.
And because I always like getting a good local recommendation, I asked Mary where she likes to eat around Mooresville.
Barcelona Burger was at the top of her list, followed by Alino Pizzeria and Florence.
Not bad advice from the person who's been responsible for keeping the three of us presentable for the past year.
— Scott
🐐 Goats tackle invasive plants in Mecklenburg County
The Gist: Mecklenburg County has brought in 200 goats from Huntersville-based Grateful Grazing Crew to clear invasive Chinese wisteria from a local natural area. Owner Jodi Rubright and her crew are pairing the grazing goats with ground teams to clear vines and protect native plants across county preserves over the next month.
Why It Matters: This natural alternative to herbicides keeps harmful chemicals off local trail systems and protects native plants like umbrella magnolias. Beyond the eco-friendly cleanup, the business offers job training for people recovering from addiction and brings goat-themed visits to local care facilities.
🏫 Cornelius gets a new personalized learning studio
The Gist: HeartHaven Education, founded by a group of well-known Lake Norman educators, opened a new learning studio on North Main Street in Cornelius this month. It offers personalized, real-world coursework (think entrepreneurship and investing) that students can layer on top of public, private, charter, or home school.
Why It Matters: North Carolina recently made it legal for registered homeschool families to hire outside companies to help educate their kids, and HeartHaven is one of the first local groups building around that. Services run on a sliding scale, and the founders say the goal is improving education in their own community, not profit.
🥪 A pretty little spot for lunch and lattes
133 N Main St, Mooresville
When quiet weekdays return after summer, Dulcet and Delish Cafe offers a bright, cozy spot for a slower lunch beneath chandeliers and gold-framed mirrors. The menu includes homemade favorites like the Italian sandwich, Caprese and vegan chickpea salad, along with tomato bisque and warm pecan toffee cookies.
Grab an oat milk latte or chocolate milk and settle in on the garden patio for an easy midweek treat.
🐢 A little lake shopping before summer slips away
3861 Terrell Park Dr, Sherrills Ford
If the late-August heat has you craving one more breezy stop near the water, The Turtle’s Shell is worth a visit. What started with Mary and Doug Harrington selling at local markets has grown into a bright 1,800-square-foot Sherrills Ford boutique filled with women’s apparel, gifts, home décor and plenty of Lake Norman touches.
The shop also keeps a rotating selection of sale and off-season finds, with some merchandise marked down as much as 40–50%. It’s an easy place to browse for a little wardrobe refresh, a hostess gift or something that brings a bit of lake life home.
Click here to be the business everyone hears about next week!
🎸 LaLaCaboosa: Classic Rock & Newgrass | Veterans Park | Huntersville | 08/20 | More
Free downtown concert featuring rock and folk tunes.
🛍️ End of Summer Sidewalk Sale | Downtown | Mooresville | 08/22 | More
Bustling shopping event: bargains, local finds, and neighborhood charm.
🎶 Concert on the Green: Gospelfest | The Town Green | Davidson | 8/23 | More
Gospel concert closing out summer. Coolers and picnics welcome.
👶 Birkdale Buds | The Plaza, Birkdale Village | Huntersville | 8/26 | More
Free preschool playdate with crafts, storytellers, and rotating themes.
🛍️ Sail Again Children's Consignment | Charles Mack Citizen Center | Mooresville | 08/26-08/30 | More
Huge pop-up shopping event featuring clothing, toys, and gear from local families.
🐐 Mooresville Movie Night: GOAT | Liberty Park | Mooresville | 08/28 | More
Outdoor screening under the stars; bring blankets and enjoy some food.
🎭 Million Dollar Quartet | Cain Center for the Arts | Cornelius | until 08/23 | More Musical theatre celebrating rock legends in an intimate arts center.
🍻 Next Stop Comedy | Primal Brewery | Huntersville | 08/21 | More
Quick-witted stand-up comedy performance paired with local craft brews.
🎸 80z Nation | BoatYard Lake Norman | Cornelius | 08/22 | More
Synth-soaked rock hooks and energetic throwbacks to the greatest hits of 1985.
🪕 Bluegrass Night: Crystal Fountains | Primal Brewery | Huntersville | 08/22 | More
Toe-tapping acoustic picking and harmonies in an open-air taproom lawn setting.
🏍️ Bike Night | Hotshots Sports Bar and Grill | Mooresville | 08/26 | More
Cold brews, food, and vibrant summer parking lot energy.
✨ LangTree Live: Black Glass | LangTree Lake Norman | Mooresville | 08/27 | More
Hard-hitting rock covers delivering energetic guitar riffs outdoors.
🤘 Music & Makers: Doubting Thomas | The Crazy Pig | Davidson | 08/29 | More Relaxed riffs accompanied by craft foods and friendly community chatter.
A huge thank-you to all the teachers heading back to school. You deserve the laughs ahead more than anyone! ❤️
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