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Blu Salon and Spa Opens in Pittsfield

The salon offers manicures and pedicures in addition to six hair stylists and spa services. 

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — There is a new salon in town.

Longtime hairstylist Brandi Scalise opened Blu Salon and Spa this month in the Williams Street Plaza.  Aside from hair, it offers a range of services including nails, facials, makeup, massages, and waxing.

Scalise was the former manager of Lotus Salon, which closed over the summer in the same location.  As a hairstylist of more than 25 years, she took the opportunity to start a business of her own.

She said she wanted to create a luxurious space with competitive pricing.

"I've been in the industry my whole life, my aunt taught a cosmetology program at [Pittsfield High School] and it's been something that's been in my world my whole life," Scalise explained.

"I remember when I was a kid we would be in and out of salons, and then I remember as I got older, I was in Disney for the first time and I walked into the salon and spa [there] and I was like 'whoa.' Disney does everything amazing, so I want to give people that same experience. So there is no Formica in this place, everything is reclaimed elm wood or cherry wood or granite, I just stepped it up and made it something really nice but affordable."

Despite the space's new look, she kept the former salon's prices essentially the same. A women's haircut and finish runs from $45 for short hair to $54 for long hair.

Dalton Board Signs Off on Land Sale Over Residents' Objections

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
05:50AM / Tuesday, December 23, 2025

Residents demanded the right to speak but the agenda did not include public comment. Amy Musante holds a sign saying the town now as '$20,000 less for a police station.'

DALTON, Mass. — The Select Board signed the sale on the last of what had been known as the Bardin property Monday even as a handful of residents demanded the right to speak against the action. 

 

The quitclaim deed transfers the nine acres to Thomas and Esther Balardini, who purchased the two other parcels in Dalton. They were the third-highest bidders at $31,500. Despite this, the board awarded them the land in an effort to keep the property intact.

 

"It's going to be an ongoing battle but one I think that has to be fought [because of] the disregard for the taxpayers," said Dicken Crane, the high bidder at $51,510.

 

"If it was personal I would let it go, but this affects everyone and backing down is not in my nature." 

 

Crane had appealed to the board to accept his bid during two previous meetings. He and others opposed to accepting the lower bid say it cost the town $20,000. After the meeting, Crane said he will be filing a lawsuit and has a citizen's petition for the next town meeting with over 100 signatures. 

 

Three members of the board — Chair Robert Bishop Jr., John Boyle, and Marc Strout — attended the 10-minute meeting. Members Anthony Pagliarulo and Daniel Esko previously expressed their disapproval of the sale to the Balardinis. 

 

Pagliarulo voted against the sale but did sign the purchase-and-sale agreement earlier this month. His reasoning was the explanation by the town attorney during an executive session that, unlike procurement, where the board is required to accept the lowest bid for services, it does have some discretion when it comes to accepting bids in this instance.