New nail salon puts its roots down in Tiffin

Ana Tran was walking through downtown Tiffin one afternoon when she noticed an open storefront across from the courthouse. At the time, Tran was remodeling an old farmhouse in McCutchenville and driving back to Toledo every day to operate her salon, an occupation she has held at various locations in the Toledo area for the past 19 years. Something clicked for Tran that day, a feeling that reminded her of home. Originally from New Orleans, Tran said Tiffin made her remember certain smaller sections of her hometown, districts where buildings weren't demolished when they grew old but were instead restored. And, after a lot of time and effort, the House of Beauty on Washington, located at 90 S. Washington St., opened for business on May 25. "I thought it was a really good location," Tran said. "I'd heard there were a lot of changes in Tiffin in the last six years or so, and I really like this town." Tran said she appreciated Tiffin's efforts to remodel its downtown area, and it reminds her of a "more manageable" version of her old hometown of New Orleans. "These old buildings have so much character, so much detail and artwork," she said. "I know it can be a little pricier to be downtown, but it adds a lot of value, and I want young people to realize that." Tran said after gaining interest in Tiffin and driving around, she thought the town could use a nail salon. "I noticed there were plenty of hair salons in the Tiffin area but not many nail salons, and we tend to focus on nails," she said. The House of Beauty on Washington specializes in manicures, pedicures and other popular nail treatments. Tran said she uses CND (Creative Nail Design) products for their high quality and because they are easier on the skin than other harsher products. Tran said the House of Beauty also brings in masseuses and hairstylists rent booths in the shop, and other spa-style treatments like facials are available by appointment as well. She said it's important to her to offer her stylists freedom in setting their own appointments. "Some of our hairstylists weren't allowed to set their own hours before, but they do their own thing here," she said. "We have a small community environment here – I don't want the big overhead in here." Like other new business owners in the area, Tran had things all set to go for a grand opening when the region went on its stay-at-home order in March due to the coronavirus pandemic. And there are many regulations Tran and her employees have to follow in the shop now as businesses have been allowed to open in Ohio under certain conditions. "There is a list of guidelines we follow – people can't wait inside the store, for example. They can only be inside they're getting a service. "Also, we can only have so many people in the store by how many square feet we have. I feel more comfortable if we keep it under 10 people, for less risks," she said. Everything has to be sanitized often in addition, using Lysol or hospital-grade disinfectant. "We're always thorough with cleaning, but we have to be extra cautious now," Tran said. Tran said people have been very supportive regarding the opening of the House of Beauty on Washington. "People are really friendly," she said. "Friends and clients have dropped of treats and flowers, and our landlords did, too." Offering services many residents haven't sought out in weeks, the nail salon saw dozens of appointments in its first week of operation, Tran said. "We had about 80 appointments in our first week, which was great," she said. "Knowing this business, it normally takes two to three years before you can fill up all of your appointments. "There have been so many people helping out with the opening," she added. "Most towns don't have people assisting and helping you as you come in as a business like this." As for the future, Tran wants to pay it forward and further integrate herself and her business into the workings of the town. She has plans to put together an event to give away free spa days to high school seniors whose graduations did not end up as planned this year, as a way of showing them she cares. And Tran still wants to throw a grand opening celebration, whenever such a thing becomes allowable again. "Maybe when things calm down I'll throw a huge party for the community, and we can do a ribbon-cutting," she said. "I want to be involved in the community in the way that nail salons aren't always involved in a town, and I want to grow with the downtown area," she said. "I think we've already put enough roots in here already."