At Royal T’s in Downtown Bettendorf, the moment you walk through the door, you can feel that you’re in for more than just a salon appointment - it’s an experience.
The space is open and airy, filled with natural light that pours in from the front windows. Bright colors pop against clean lines, creating an atmosphere that feels both polished and welcoming. And then there’s the unofficial greeter: a big, fluffy Sheepadoodle with a rainbow patch of color brushed into its fur, padding happily across the floor as if to say, you’re in the right place.
For owner Taylor Roberson, this chapter feels full circle.
Royal T’s first opened in the Village of East Davenport in 2009, where Taylor built her reputation and loyal clientele for over 15 years. At the end of 2024, she made the move to her dream location in Downtown Bettendorf (the former Tango Salon) - a place she now proudly calls her own in an industry where ownership and longevity mean everything.
There’s pride in her voice when she talks about the team she’s built. “We all have our jams,” Taylor says. “I’ve tried to build a team that truly loves what they do.”
Inside Royal T’s, that philosophy is obvious. There’s a blonde specialist and a curls specialist – and Taylor herself calls herself the bob specialist. Each stylist brings a distinct niche, but the approach is collaborative. When a client walks in, they aren’t assigned at random, they’re thoughtfully paired with the person who best fits their needs.
“When you come here, you get all of us,” she explains. “If I’m not the best fit for what you want, I’ll hook you up with the person who is.” Her team, affectionately dubbed the “Royal Family”, includes veteran stylists who have been with her for years. Two of them she’s known since beauty school. The newest member of the team just graduated and brings fresh techniques and trend-forward ideas, keeping the salon evolving while honoring the foundation Taylor built.
“I want people to know that when you walk in, you’re a friend,” Taylor says. “We’re genuinely happy to see you.” That culture is definitely intentional and is evident in the light conversation and laughter shared between the stylists.
Appointments often turn into something more. Friends schedule “hair dates” together. Some met at the salon and started booking side-by-side visits every six weeks. There’s always a beverage offered, fun music and an energy Taylor describes as “Steel Magnolias vibes with a rock ’n’ roll edge.”
For Taylor, putting down roots in Bettendorf has made the move even more meaningful. “I’m a property owner, I’m raising my kids here, this is home,” she says. And the support from the community feels personal. “I’m a river girl,” she says, smiling at the view from the front window. “To have this salon here in my hometown, it’s a dream come true.”