Joan Fredericks remembers when she "wanted to get her fingernails done." But, there was no such business in Bluffton, so she did something about it. She started her own nails shop.
Five years later, Nails by Joan grew and expanded. Now, the 417 N. Main St. business has a new name, many new services and much more room to handle customer needs.
Polished Nail and Body Salon, which caters to women and men, and whose customers happen to range in ages 13 to 96, expanded from its original 13 by 7 foot storefront of 220 square feet to 650 square feet this fall. An open house is planned for the end of January.
The expansion includes six rooms and an expanded waiting area. Added are two performance tanning beds (European style), a red light therapy bed, a mystic stray booth, an aqua massage room and room for facials and full-body waxing.
"Red light therapy improves your skins underlying supportive structure and makes you look and feel younger," said Frederick, explaining the process.
Nails, manicures, pedicures and paraffin hand-dips, the original services of the shop, continue to be offered.
The shop takes appointments and walk-ins with shop hours determined by customer demand. Customers come from Bluffton, Ada, Pandora, Mt. Cory, Rawson, Lima and Findlay.
Nicole LaBianco has joined the shop as managing cosmetologist. She is a graduate of Nationwide Beauty Academy and Spa Studio. The shop has a salon license for tanning and both LaBianco and Fredericks are certified to operative the tanning booths.
"It's a wonderful way to relax," Fredericks says, referring to the services her business offers. "It's really a fun time. We are a place where people come and tend to linger."
Concerning the nail business, it's not unusual for Fredericks to see up to 130 nails a day and LaBianco up to 100 nails a day. And that doesn't count the many rings they see on customers.
Polished Nails and Body Salon's phone number is 419-358-0001. The telephone number is a story all by itself. Customers may follow the shop's activities on Facebook.
