When Summer Shelton opens the doors to Amulet Parlor on August 1 — just one day before her birthday — she’s not just launching a new salon. She’s creating a haven rooted in Appalachian care, Indigenous principles, and the power of slowing down.
After decades in education — first as a teacher and eventually a principal — Summer felt the call to return to her creative roots. Straight out of high school, she worked as a hair stylist to put herself through school. But the demands of leadership eventually pulled her away. Now, after 25 years in education and a winding path that’s taken her from Mississippi to Knoxville, then to Philly and Seattle, she’s back — this time with a vision that’s anything but ordinary.
“Amulet was never meant to just be a salon,” Summer says. “We’re calling it a parlor because we want it to feel like a shared, welcoming space for connection — not just a service.”
The space will be divided into two sides. One will offer hair, nails, massage, skincare, and even sound and shadow therapy — a practice of exploring and embracing the parts of ourselves we often ignore. The other will be fully devoted to community. Expect workshops, book clubs, apothecary-style make-and-take stations, and more. “We want it to feel like somewhere you can tend to your spirit,” she says.
Raised in Houston, Mississippi, Summer’s understanding of kinship goes deeper than blood. “Kin are the people you’re responsible to and for,” she explains — an idea thats shaped by her background, including time spent on the Muckleshoot Indian Reservation and family ties to the Seminole Nation. Her dream with Amulet is to blend Appalachian and Indigenous values: care, truth, belonging, and spiritual connection.
Amulet will also operate differently than traditional salons. Think slower pace, smaller menus, and time-based pricing — which means you book a block of time and decide how it’s used. “It puts power back in the hands of the patron,” Summer says. “Maybe you want a three-hour facial, or maybe just a 30-minute scalp massage. It’s your hour, your space.”
The space will be gender-affirming, culturally aware, and fully transparent — with curtained areas available for those who want or need more privacy, including women who wear hijabs. Summer is intentional about making Amulet a safe space for anyone living as a woman in the community and anyone who needs a break from the heaviness of the world.
Beyond the vibe, Amulet is setting out to be one of the greenest businesses in Knoxville. They’ll partner with Organic Way, a B Corp hair and skincare line from Italy, and Knoxville’s own KnoxFill for hand soaps and sustainable supplies. They’re also joining the Green Circle Salon program to minimize landfill waste and will use vegan and cruelty-free nail products wherever possible.
Robin Easter is handling signage and branding, and Summer’s longtime best friend, Brynn — owner of Lox Salon who is transitioning to a new space on June 17 — has been by her side through the process happy to transition her former salon space to Summer. But Amulet is not Lox. “It’s a different energy, a different space,” Summer says. “We want people to feel that as soon as they walk in.”
The name Amulet came from a desire to find a word that meant protection, safety, and meaning. “An amulet is something you carry or wear to protect you,” she says. “That’s what we want this space to be. A place to put your armor down.”
You can take advantage of the salon liquidation sale the first week of June. Summer will also conduct in-person interviews for anyone interested in working at Amulet Parlor. The first book club is already in motion.
June Book: The Patriarchs
no rsvp required (June 30, 5pm)
mirrors, furniture, salon equipment,
rugs, & more (cash & venmo) June 2, 9, 9a-6p)
Interviews
In-person interviews (all day June 4, 11)
apply at amuletparlor.com/careers
The parlor will be open Wednesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., with Mondays and Tuesdays reserved for rest. Community events can be booked during closed hours or — with intention — sometimes during open ones. If you have an idea for how to use the space, Summer wants to hear it. The events calendar is taking bookings.
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