LAKEVILLE — At her open house last Saturday, March 31, Tarah Kennedy made sure that everyone tried the sugared pecans, and was eager to share the recipe with anyone who asked. A Texas native, Kennedy prides herself on her heritage as much as she does on her warm and welcoming personality.
Her new Shine Hair Spa, a full service salon at 336 Main St. (across from the post office), is based on community and friendliness, she said.
"I’m bringing Southern hospitality up here," Kennedy explained. "I want people to feel really comfortable."
Kennedy has been coloring hair out of her home for more than 10 years, but recently found she was outgrowing her one-room studio. She teamed up with Colleen Kopec, the owner of Skintastic, which specializes in skin treatments, waxing and nail care. Kopec and Kennedy were each other’s clients. Together they rented a space in the center of Lakeville that gives each of them a waiting room and two treatment rooms.
Kennedy said the partnership grew out of mutual respect.
"I really liked her work, she really liked mine and we were starting to share a lot of clients," she said. The businesses remain separate entities, but there is a natural flow between the two halves of the building that encourages clients who come in for a facial to stay for highlights.
The homey feel is evident. Kennedy’s husband, Jim, often mans the front desk while their 3-year-old daughter, Laila, peeks out from below.
The Kennedys met in Texas, while Jim was stationed with the Coast Guard in Houston.
"We were neighbors," Kennedy said. But they moved up north, back to Jim’s native territory, three years ago. "He wanted to raise our baby here. We moved up here when I was six months pregnant."
Laila was born in Sharon Hospital and Kennedy has been hooked on small-town New England ever since. She has begun to forge partnerships with other local businesswomen, showing an exclusive line of jewelry made by Fern Thompson for Shine Hair Spa and hanging the artwork of area artists on her walls.
"I like the whole local thing," she said. "I really wanted to support the local businesswomen. And I like to have stuff not everyone has — good quality products."
But amid all this expansion and networking, Kennedy stays true to her passion: color. She is a colorist, not a hair cutter.
"I don’t cut at all," she said. "I do not cut hair."
She does, however, employ Andrea Wilson to cut hair on Tuesdays and Fridays. Wilson, who lives in Lakeville and is married to fire volunteer Jason Wilson, formerly worked at Visible Changes in Salisbury.
"I liked the fact that she’s a local," Kennedy said. "People know her here."
Kennedy is looking for a full-time cutter, but isn’t in a rush.
"I want someone who’s really good, so I’m taking my time," she said.
In addition to coloring and cuts, Kennedy offers a variety of hair conditioning treatments, which generally consist of a shampoo, application of the treatment, and then time spent under the steamer. The steam helps moisturize the hair, unlike the dry heat of a drier.
"I believe in healthy hair. That’s why I call it a hair spa," Kennedy said. "If your hair’s not healthy, it doesn’t matter what dye I put on it, it’s not going to look good."
Color treatments start at $60. Haircuts start at $40 for women, $25 for men and $15 for children under 12. Hair conditioning treatments start at $25, but are discounted if combined with another service. Call 860-435-9450 to schedule an appointment.
