On Community, Craft, & Creating a Hair Experience Worth Returning To
When Kristina and Christel purchased The Lift Salon in the fall of 2018, Eastworks looked a lot different than it does today. The first floor was quieter as the building was still finding its footing as a commercial destination.
Seven years later, The Lift is one of the longest-standing tenants on the floor, watching it all unfold. “We’ve probably seen the most change,” says Kristina, who co-owns the salon alongside Christel and still works behind the chair every day. “It’s nice to see that this place is alive.”
A Hair Salon in Easthampton, MA Built From the Ground Up
Shortly after purchasing the salon, Kristina and Christel knew they wanted to reshape the space by opening it up and letting it breathe. Walls came down. The floor plan opened into something grand and welcoming. More recently, new mirrors and stations completed what had been a years-long renovation vision.
The result is a salon that feels like it was designed with intention from every angle: bright, open, and flooded with natural light from Eastworks’ signature windows.
Why Clients Keep Coming Back
Walk into The Lift and you’ll be greeted by name. You’ll be offered coffee or tea. When you settle into the shampoo chair (a massage chair, with leg elevation and a full-body air massage built in) it becomes clear that every detail has been considered.
“From the moment you walk into the salon, we want clients to feel welcome,” salon manager Estera says. “It doesn’t matter if you’re only here for 30 minutes. You’re still going to get the same level of service as somebody who’s here for four hours.”
That philosophy runs through every layer of the operation, from the stylists to the assistants to Estera, who runs the front desk and sets the tone for every visit. “Everyone that comes in the door is greeted so well,” Kristina says.
The product lines reflect the same commitment to quality and education. The Lift carries Kérastase, L’Oréal, and R+Co products chosen not just for performance, but for the ongoing education they provide to stylists. Continuing education, Kristina says, is non-negotiable.
Two Owners, One Vision for Hair in Western Mass
Behind the salon are two owners whose strengths complement each other. Kristina has spent her career building client relationships from behind the chair — a role she loves for the daily human connection it brings. “I love the interaction with the people we come in contact with every day,” she says. “It’s very rewarding.”
Christel came to the industry early — doing makeovers on friends in second grade, spending weekends at her aunt’s beauty parlor learning perms and roller sets. She’s been at The Lift for all eleven years of her career, pushing color to the limit and experimenting with formulas that other stylists wouldn’t attempt. Clients who’ve sat in her chair for a shampoo will tell you: the head massage alone is worth the visit.
Part of Something Bigger: Hair, Community, & Eastworks
As one of the longest running tenants on the first floor, The Lift has had a front-row seat to the evolution of Eastworks as a community destination. Kristina remembers when the floor was mostly empty with just the salon, the Registry of Motor Vehicles, and a handful of others. Now, with neighbors like Nourish and 50 Arrow Gallery and Hashi Japanese Pottery Plus next door, the energy has shifted.
“It feels more lively,” she says. “It’s nice to see more people in the hallways.”
For Kristina and Christel, that sense of place matters. The Lift isn’t just a hair salon in Easthampton, MA — it’s woven into the fabric of the building, and into the community that’s grown up around it.
The Lift Salon is located on the first floor of Eastworks at 116 Pleasant Street in Easthampton. To book an appointment or learn more, visit theliftsaloneasthampton.com.