Why I Love This Town — Burrows likes Madison’s ‘style’

Dana Burrows owns Studio 106 at 16 Main St. She has worked in downtown Madison for 17 years. (RECORD PHOTO/GREGG PARKER)

MADISON – Salon owner and stylist Dana Burrows often refers to her business, Studio 106 at 16 Main St., as a mirror image of Truvy’s beauty shop in the movie, “Steel Magnolias.”

“I came to work in Madison basically as a young adult,” Burrows said. “Madison has grown but still has a small-town feel about it.”

Burrows was born as an “Army brat” in Fort Leonard Wood, Mo. but grew up in Huntsville. She graduated from Butler High School and then completed beauty school training. In 1990, she started working at Perfections salon in Madison.

In 1998, she opened her own salon, Studio 106, at 106 Main St. in the former location of longtime barber Hoyt Shelton. “As a little girl, I wanted to do hair. I’ve been doing hair for 28 years. I’ve been in downtown Madison for 17 years,” Burrows said.

“Madison has become my home … both personally and professionally. It suits me just fine,” she said.

Madison Street Festival is the community event that she likes best. “Madison Street Festival is awesome. I actually take that day for me,” Burrows said.

“I love all types of music. I enjoy Madison Gazebo Concerts in the summer from my front porch (at Studio 106),” Burrows said. She leans to country as her favorite genre, especially Luke Bryan, Toby Keith and Miranda Lambert, and had fun at the concerts on Redstone Arsenal.

Most of her days are spent working (“a lot”), cooking, working in her yard and lounging at the pool. An advocate for animals, Burrows thoroughly enjoys time with her four dogs. Her rescues are Isabella or ‘Izzy,’ a Shih Tzu; Harley, a Pomerian mix; and Oreo, poodle/cocker spaniel mix. She did ‘shop’ to find Tristan, her Shih Tzu/poodle mix.

Main Street Cafe is her favorite restaurant in Madison. “I really miss Bandito Burrito. It was a great after-work meeting place, where everyone knew your name,” Burrows said. “I am looking forward to Old Black Bear opening.”