Clarice Booze and the Legacy of Cla-Che Salon: Three Decades of Faith, Natural Hair, and Community in St. Louis
On June 1, 1993, Cla-Che Salon quietly opened its doors on Gravois Avenue in St. Louis. Although it began as a simple act of faith, the business has since grown into one of the city’s most enduring beauty institutions. Now, more than 30 years later, Cla-Che Salon—also known as Cla-Che Beauty Salon—stands as a powerful example of vision, resilience, and the power of natural hair care, championing the style long before it was widely embraced.
Born and raised in St. Louis, Clarice Booze is the owner and heart behind Cla-Che Salon, located at 3728 Gravois Ave, St. Louis, MO 63116. Because she grew up as number 15 out of 17 siblings, Clarice learned early how to navigate responsibility, creativity, and community. Furthermore, those early family lessons would later fundamentally shape her unique approach to business and mentorship.
A Vision Discovered Early
Clarice’s vision for her future initially sparked in high school, where her interests were split between cosmetology and culinary arts. While both paths intrigued her, cosmetology ultimately won. During her high school years, she took cosmetology classes at O’Fallon Technical High School on Fridays. Consequently, she gained hands-on experience that confirmed her true calling. After graduating, she went straight into beauty school, determined to turn her passion into a profession.
That determination eventually culminated in 1993, a defining year that Clarice describes as divinely guided.
“It was faith,” she recalls. “I was working at two salons and just riding down the street when I saw this building. The vision told me it was time to step out on faith. I called the number, and the landlord said, ‘It’s yours.’ I opened my doors and made my rent the same day. I didn’t have it planned. God did that for me.”
Championing Natural Hair Before It Was Celebrated
From the very beginning, Cla-Che Salon centered natural hair care at a time when it wasn’t always embraced or understood. For Clarice, however, the choice was deeply personal.
“It was for me,” she says. “I’ve always been into natural hair. Coming from a large family, my brothers had me braiding their hair straight back. I realized I had some skills I didn’t even know I had.”
Over the decades, her approach to natural hair has continued to evolve, yet her commitment has remained steady.
“I stayed with it,” she explains. “It was here before, but I brought it back and made it popular. I was doing silk presses first. Then my coworkers followed, then my clients. People started leaving their beauticians and barbers to come to me for natural hair. I’ve always been into it.”
Education, Realism, and Trust
One of Clarice’s greatest strengths is client education. Specifically, she is honest and intentional about helping people understand their own hair.
“Some clients come in with a picture,” she says, “and I have to tell them they have a different texture. There are all different hair types. We work with what you have and create something different. I get them to believe in the vision I have for them.”
That trust is part of what separates Cla-Che Salon from other full-service salons in St. Louis.
“We still offer professionalism and a welcoming, nurturing spirit,” Clarice says. “When they walk through that door, we invite them in with care.”
A One-Stop Beauty Experience With Purpose
Cla-Che Beauty Salon is a full-service salon offering hair styling, nail care, skincare treatments, barbering services, and more. Clarice intentionally built it as a one-stop beauty experience—not just for profit, but also for impact.
“You don’t always look at it as the financial part,” she explains. “You look at it as helping someone look better. Someone might be going on a job interview and need a quick shave. I even taught my barbers how to arch eyebrows because 99 percent of their clients might be women.”
Longevity Rooted in Prayer and Community
Very few businesses survive for more than three decades. Clarice credits Cla-Che Salon’s longevity to prayer, resilience, and fairness.
“I call them coworkers, not employees,” she says. “We work together.”
That philosophy has been felt by both staff and clients. For instance, clients once organized a stylist appreciation day, bringing food, gifts, and recognition into the salon. Additionally, Cla-Che gives back regularly through free haircuts for children and community donation drives.
From Stylist to Mentor
When asked which version of herself she is most proud of—the stylist, the owner, or the mentor—Clarice doesn’t hesitate.
“The mentor,” she says. “That’s what’s needed now. I feel like I’m really giving back in that area.”
Behind the success were sacrifices many never saw.
“People didn’t see me going out there with no money, just trusting the vision,” she explains. “A lot of people try to talk you down from your goals. Some didn’t think we’d be here this long.”
What’s Next—and What Lasts Forever
Looking ahead, Clarice is focused on education and legacy. She continues to offer crossover classes for barbers, student training, and teaches part-time at a barber, beauty, and esthetician school. Furthermore, she serves nationally as Director of Education for the Barbers and Beauticians of St. Louis, Missouri.
Her advice to aspiring salon owners is practical and rooted in experience:
“Separate the stylist from the business. Get the business going first. Take a business course. Get a good mentor. But definitely follow your goals.”
When asked what she wants people to remember when her journey on this earth is complete, Clarice answers with quiet confidence:
“That I left family and friends with great thoughts and memories—and that great times were always had when entering my salon.”
More than a salon, Cla-Che is a space of faith, education, beauty, and community. And at its center is Clarice Booze—a mentor, visionary, and living legacy in St. Louis.
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