CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – Have you seen the pink neon light at the corner of Franklin and Second Street downtown? Maybe you’ve stopped to peek in the window or scan the QR code. We sat down with Clarksville native and celebrity stylist Ava Freeman to learn about her newest project, Higher Level Plaza on Franklin.
“When you walk in the room you will have a magical experience,” she says. “It’s called Pinky’s Up Afternoon Tea. The owners (Amber Steele and Serveen Johnson) are absolutely amazing. Next is my salon, Higher Level Hair Studio and Hair Loss Clinique. Next we have Ms. Spirit Smith with Platinum Skin.”
Ava attributes lot of her motivation and success to growing up in Clarksville. “Growing up in Clarksville, I saw endurance. I saw drive. I saw excellence. I saw Black excellence. … I did not see excuses.” Freeman added, “I feel love in Clarksville. I feel safe in Clarksville.
“There are a lot of things I want to bring to the community,” she said. Having worked as a freelancer and celebrity stylist for the past 12 years, Freeman said, “I was to use some of my contacts and bring them to Clarksville. We don’t have to go to Nashville. We have it here, and we need to start embracing it here.”
Located at 137 Franklin St., Higher Level Plaza on Franklin opened this month. More information can be found on Instagram @higherlevelonfranklin.