New salon in Mahanoy City recognizes borough’s cosmetology past as it celebrates grand opening
KAYLEE LINDENMUTH / SHENANDOAH SENTINEL - The ribbon is cut on Glimmer in Mahanoy City on Nov. 4, 2024.
MAHANOY CITY – As clients get their hair cut and styled at Mahanoy City’s newest salon, the “City on the Level’s” barbers and stylists of year’s past are honored.
Mahanoy native Kimberly Souchak opened her new salon, Glimmer, in the 100 block of East Market Street and celebrated with a ribbon cutting Monday afternoon.
Everything inside the salon, nestled in a traditional coal region row home, has a personal touch, Souchak told the Sentinel. A hand-painted chair came from a late hairdresser’s salon when her shop closed and photos on the wall highlight some of the borough’s barbers and stylists from yesteryear through today, including some close to Souchak.
“Everybody that was in this business — I started doing hair because of my friend Kathy Wufsus, I have pictures of her when she was a young stylist, I have pictures of different barbers that were in the area that were important to me,” Souchak said. “I’m huge on history, I love our town history.”
Souchak has been in the industry for 32 years in northern Schuylkill County.
“I love what I do and I wanted to come back to Mahanoy City to support our community,” Souchak said. “I always decide to see the positive aspects of our community. Schuylkill County is a great place to be.”
In describing where the name came from, she described a “glimmer” as “something good in every day.”
“It’s all about finding that glimmer in your day and I just pray that when I give my expertise to my clients that they feel that glimmer that comes from me,” she said.
Several dignitaries, including State Reps. Dane Watro (R-116), Jamie Barton (R-124) and Tim Twardzik (R-123), County Commissioner Gary Hess, and Borough Council President Mick Connolly, attended the ribbon cutting as well as officials from the Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce and the Mahanoy Area Chamber of Commerce.
Mary Beth Dougherty, with Senator David G. Argall (R-29)’s office, said Souchak is one of the only people in Schuylkill County to provide hair restoration services, which Souchak said she learned working for Betty Ann Bugden in Shenandoah.
Dawn Frye, treasurer of the Mahanoy Area Chamber, said a salon is “way more than getting your hair done or your nails painted, it’s just such a relief to have someone to express your feelings to.”
She welcomed Glimmer to town on behalf of the chamber.
“She supports our community, she supports our kids,” Frye said of Souchak’s impact on Mahanoy City.
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