A new luxury salon is preparing to make its debut in Malden.
K-12 Studios will celebrate its grand opening on August 9, 2026 at 287 Salem Street, according to recent social media posts from founder Keturah Douze.
“On August 9, I will officially open the doors to K-12 Studios,” one announcement reads. “This is more than the opening of a salon. It is the beginning of a new chapter, a dream realized, and a legacy I am building for myself and my children. It is a testament to God’s faithfulness and a reminder that what He has for you cannot be taken away.”
Douze told What Now Boston that K-12 Studios was created to offer a luxury salon experience that’s both welcoming and accessible, where every client leaves feeling confident and pampered.
The salon will offer a wide range of beauty services, including natural hair care, braiding, extensions, silk presses, wigs, sew-ins, color services, and customized hair treatments. Guests can also expect a warm, elevated atmosphere, talented beauty professionals, and exceptional customer service dedicated to building lasting relationships.
Douze discovered her passion for beauty at just 10 years old, braiding friends’ hair after church and quickly realizing the confidence a great hairstyle could inspire. Now a licensed cosmetologist with more than a decade of experience, she has built K-12 Studios on the belief that beauty can transform how people view themselves while fostering meaningful connections.
“I was fascinated by the creativity of the beauty industry and loved seeing how something as simple as doing someone’s hair could make them feel confident,” she said. “Our goal is to create a space where clients not only leave looking their best but also feeling confident, empowered, and cared for.”
Douze’s journey to opening the salon hasn’t been without its challenges. While raising two children, she overcame periods of housing insecurity by traveling to clients’ homes, working out of hotel rooms when needed, and eventually building a loyal clientele from her own home.
She also founded a nonprofit supporting individuals experiencing homelessness and newly arrived immigrant families. Through the generosity of local donors across Massachusetts, the organization has raised more than $10,000 to provide meals, clothing, transportation, and access to shower facilities in partnership with local churches.
Douze also said that being adopted as a child gave her a deep appreciation for family, belonging, and creating spaces where people feel seen and valued.
“That’s exactly what I want Studio K-12 to represent,” she explained. “It’s much more than a salon. I want it to be a place where people feel seen, cared for, and connected. Many of my clients have become like family, and the conversations we have behind the chair often extend far beyond beauty—they’re built on trust, encouragement, and community.”
K-12’s grand opening celebration next month will reflect that community-centered vision. Rather than hosting a traditional ribbon-cutting, the event will feature local small businesses and vendors offering services such as teeth whitening, B12 vitamin injections, and other health and beauty resources.
“The goal is to bring people together, support fellow entrepreneurs, educate the community, and celebrate the diversity and culture that make Massachusetts so special,” Douze said. “Studio K-12 was built with love, resilience, and the belief that beauty can bring people together. I hope it becomes a place where everyone who walks through our doors feels at home.”
