Salon Lucere strives to offer clients 'an experience'

By Ginny Privitar
CHESTER — At its Sept. 6 grand opening, Salon Lucere recreated hairstyles featured in New York City Fall Fashion week and threw a runway show for guests. Meg McCluskey from Stella and Dot provided stylists and jewelry for the models. Bella Luna Italian Restaurant served their appetizers, while Bumble and Bumble representative Rebecca Edmondson described their styling products. New York State Assemblyman James Skoufis and Village of Chester Deputy Mayor Carole Duffy joined the owners, Ada and Jimmy Seymour, in the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

The attentive staff gave tours of the salon, gave away products, and raffled off gift certificates for Uniquely You Massage Therapy, The Beauty Boutique (both located upstairs) and Salon Lucere.

Pen and ink drawings of local scenes by Thomas Denaro’s were on display and available for purchase.

Owner Ada Seymour said she opened the salon to fill a need — to bring an elevated level of salon service to the area.

“We have the complete product line available at our Try Me Bar,” said Seymour. “Take it to the next level with a personalized styling lesson where you learn a fresh, new way of using your products and tools. We hope you agree that when you experience the Salon Lucere difference, you and your hair will shine.”

25 years in the beauty business

Seymour has been in the beauty business for 25 years. She credits her family with instilling her with the values of integrity and service and especially admires her grandmother, Katherine "Kay" Carhart, “who was brilliant in business.”

“She was a very successful entrepreneur and always a lady," Ada said.

She worked for family friend and mentor, Maggie Jones, who owns a shop in New Windsor. She taught Ada structure and design, and the importance of teaching clients how to recreate hairstyles at home.

Seymour credits the people who give her support, including her husband, Jim Seymour, daughter, Katie Rae Aulogia, and niece, Devyn McGrath, “who work tirelessly to ensure that the salon runs according to my vision and that our team is professionally satisfied. My husband is the most patient, supportive and uplifting person I have ever met.”

Seymour said her salon's focus on client care sets it apart from other salons.

"I selected a team of stylists who agree that the salon experience encompasses so much more than simply a good hair cut or color," she said. "I wanted to create a space where our guests feel connected to style and fashion — where they can be heard during a complete consultation, feel comfortable and cared for, and also enjoy little extras that were added to enhance the experience, at no cost."

She said feedback from clients shows they feel their visit was "an experience."

"That's exactly what I had in mind," she said.

“We are grateful for the warm welcome we have received from the Village of Chester and look forward to helping make every day a good hair day," she said.