image description — Esthetician Kathryn Boucher opened Belle Ame Lashes by Keke last month on historic Eagle Street.

Salon Owner Opens in Grandfather's Old North Adams Barber Shop

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
02:45PM / Tuesday, June 10, 2025Print Story | Email Story

The salon's logo includes 'Lashes Like Kiera' in remembrance of Kiera Boucher.

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Belle Ame Lashes by Keke recently celebrated its grand opening at 14 Eagle St.

Owner and esthetician Kathryn Boucher said her business will do face wax, eyebrows, and eyelash extensions.

Boucher formerly occupied a space in Pittsfield but now will solely be based in North Adams. It's also something of a coming home as 14 Eagle used to house her grandfather's business — Norm's Barber Shop.

After school, she'd walk down from Conte Middle School to the barbershop to get a lollipop — a tradition she plans to continue to commemorate him.

"This is just where we would come visit. And he had this old brown desk right over there, and the bottom drawer was all always Dum-Dums lollipops. So that's what he was famous for, giving the kids the Dum-Dum lollipops," she said.

Boucher explained that her grandfather, T. Norman "Norm" Bleau, is one of the inspirations behind her business along with her daughter.

"My daughter was actually the one who introduced me to getting eyelashes done," she said. "She always got hers done when she did not need to, and talked me into getting mine done. And then after a while, it seemed like something I should look into, I would enjoy doing."

Boucher named her salon in part after her late daughter, Kiera "Keke" Boucher, with Keke a nickname she and her daughter shared. Boucher's signage includes the slogan "Lashes like Kiera," noting her daughter had great natural lashes. Kiera died earlier this year at age 26, but helped her mom pick out the colors and flooring of the space as well as giving input on the furniture and decorations.

Boucher received her cosmetology license through Mildred Elley around 2016. She trained under and was certified by Victoria Brassard in Pittsfield, who owns Lemon Lash Academy and FaceFrame Collective. Boucher had her Belle Ame Lashes by Keke in the Pittsfield studio.

Another barber shop, Klipper Kingz Barber Co., had operated out of the space since 2009.

She got the Eagle Street space in February and said her father and her three sons helped her transform into what it is now.

Boucher opened on May 7, when she was licensed to be there, and celebrated with a grand opening on May 31. She wants to collaborate with other local businesses to draw people downtown so offered the chance to win gift cards to them during the celebration.

Belle Ame Lashes by Keke is by appointment only for lash work, but may be available for walk-ins for face waxing. For more information to to make an appointment at 413-344-7777 or through the website.

Tags: new business, esthetician, salon,

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Berkshire County Homes Celebrating Holiday Cheer

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
12:37PM / Wednesday, December 24, 2025

There's holiday cheer throughout the Berkshires this winter.

Many homeowners are showing their holiday spirit by decorating their houses. We asked for submissions so those in the community can check out these fanciful lights and decor when they're out.

We asked the homeowners questions on their decorations and why they like to light up their houses.

In Great Barrington, Matt Pevzner has decorated his house with many lights and even has a Facebook page dedicated to making sure others can see the holiday joy.

Located at 93 Brush Hill Road, there's more than 61,000 lights strewn across the yard decorating trees and reindeer and even a polar bear.

The Pevzner family started decorating in September by testing their hundreds of boxes of lights. He builds all of his own decorations like the star 10-foot star that shines done from 80-feet up, 10 10-foot trees, nine 5-foot trees, and even the sleigh, and more that he also uses a lift to make sure are perfect each year.

"I always decorated but I went big during COVID. I felt that people needed something positive and to bring joy and happiness to everyone," he wrote. "I strive to bring as much joy and happiness as I can during the holidays. I love it when I get a message about how much people enjoy it. I've received cards thanking me how much they enjoyed it and made them smile. That means a lot."

Pevzner starts thinking about next year's display immediately after they take it down after New Year's. He gets his ideas by asking on his Facebook page for people's favorite decorations. The Pevzner family encourages you to take a drive and see their decorations, which are lighted every night from 5 to 10.

In North Adams, the Wilson family decorates their house with fun inflatables and even a big Santa waving to those who pass by.

The Wilsons start decorating before Thanksgiving and started decorating once their daughter was born and have grown their decorations each year as she has grown. They love to decorate as they used to drive around to look at decorations when they were younger and hope to spread the same joy.

"I have always loved driving around looking at Christmas lights and decorations. It's incredible what people can achieve these days with their displays," they wrote.

They are hoping their display carries on the tradition of the Arnold Family Christmas Lights Display that retired in 2022.

The Wilsons' invite you to come and look at their display at 432 Church St. that's lit from 4:30 to 10:30 every night, though if it's really windy, the inflatables might not be up as the weather will be too harsh.

In Pittsfield, Travis and Shannon Dozier decorated their house for the first time this Christmas as they recently purchased their home on Faucett Lane. The two started decorating in November, and hope to bring joy to the community.

"If we put a smile on one child's face driving by, then our mission was accomplished," they said.

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