Lovely Nails moves at Fashion Outlets, opening in Lewiston

by Susan Mikula Campbell

Amy Tran describes herself as "a busy woman."

Her manicure/pedicure business, Lovely Nails, is expanding so much she works seven days a week. These days, when she has a rare minute or two to spare, she admits to kicking back and relaxing in one of her salon's new, cushy, massaging pedicure chairs.

She and her husband, Dan, have been in the manicure business for eight years. They operate a salon in Buffalo, recently moved into newly renovated quarters in the Fashion Outlets of Niagara mall on Military Road in the Town of Niagara, and are officially opening a third salon on Cayuga Street in the Tin Pan Alley mini plaza next week.

Plus, she's the mother of four children ranging in age from 3 to 14.

"I'm lucky I have my mother-in-law (to babysit)," Tran said.

Lovely Nails has been at Fashion Outlets for about three years, first in a small shop in the mall and then in an outside store. The new salon is a roomy location just off the bus entrance and across from mall offices at the back of Fashion Outlets. The mall combined storage space and the former Heartstrings shop and renovated the area for Lovely Nails and the new Yankee Candles next door.

"It's so beautiful in here," said Tran, pointing out all the new equipment and the fact that the new location brings a lot of potential walk-in traffic by her door.

Fingernails become a fashion statement under the expert hands of the Lovely Nails staff. The salon offers a wide selection of nail colors, from trendy to sedate, and many choices in nail art. With a few deft strokes Tran adds a white flower, centered with sparkly silver, to a nail.

Some customers like art added to each nail, but many prefer highlighting just one nail on each hand or perhaps each big toe, she said.

While most of the customers are women, Lovely Nails, does serve men and children as well.

Customers can't help a sigh of relief as they sit back in one of the easy-access pedicure chairs and are handed a remote that provides a relaxing massage with an array of choices such as speed, width, intensity, knead, flap, press, knock and stretch. Meanwhile, they sink their tired feet in a brightly colored basin for pampering that makes them ready for display in summer sandals.

New at the salon are special animal-themed smaller pedicure chairs, perfect for youngsters. These and the special massaging adult chairs also will be available at the new Lewiston location.

A recent customer, in for a manicure bemoaned the fact she didn't have time that day to have a pedicure. She brightened as she realized that Sunday would be Mother's Day and decided on the spot to celebrate by bringing her daughters for a special girls' day out.

Customer Donna Montie of Niagara Falls has nothing but praise for Lovely Nails.

"I've been coming here for years. They do a good job and they're very friendly," she said.

In addition to attending to fingers and toes, Lovely Nails offers kids' birthday parties, with cakes and balloons, and special manicure/pedicures for groups, such as bridal parties or clubs. Hours are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday to Saturday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. Walk-ins are welcome, but parties are by appointment only by calling 298-0511.