Award-winning nail salon will not re-open after crisis
‘I’M CLOSING WITH A HEAVY HEART. I COULDN’T TAKE THAT LEVEL OF RISK’
A successful Wexford business with a good turn-over and 10,000 clients on its database has closed permanently, due to the coronavirus crisis.
Nailbou, an award-winning nail salon in Crescent Quay, announced its closure with ‘a heavy heart’, according to the owner Natalie Flanagan.
The closure, with the lay-off of five staff, comes after a previous period of disruption to the business during protracted Council refurbishment works at the Crescent.
Natalie, a former science teacher, who is also the owner of the Skin Cellar on Crescent Quay, said she felt she had to make a decision about the future of the salon, as it is not the type of business that can remain closed for a long period of time.
‘I know this crisis is going to go on for longer than a few weeks. The decision had to be made. I couldn’t take that level of risk. I have two companies and I work in one.’
She said the Skin Cellar, which is retaining its two staff, has been able to adapt by continuing online, with a new range of ‘Hug Hampers’, filled with skincare products, for people to arrange to have delivered to family and friends who are self-isolating. But it wasn’t possible to transfer the nail salon online.
Natalie whose husband Fergus is an architect with a business based over Nailbou in the Crescent and also in Dublin, which he established 10 years ago during the recession, said it was a difficult decision to close Nailbou as it was doing so well.
The couple own the Skin Cellar premises, live in Blackwater and are parents to three teenage daughters
‘It was a tough decision because it was a good business, with a good turn-over. People were surprised at how successful it has been. We have 10,000 clients on our software system.’
‘We won Best Five Star Nail Salon at the Irish Hair and Beauty Awards in December.
The idea was to expand into a franchise and get more salons open but the coronavirus put paid to those plans.’
‘We have had a successful journey not only with awards, but we have trained over 20 staff, six of whom started their own businesses around Wexford.’
Nailbou which opened in April 2015, was affected last year by renovation works on Crescent Quay which led to traffic restrictions and access problems.
‘Last year, I had six months of road works. That was tough, really tough. I almost went down this line at the time, but I didn’t make a huge shout-out about it because I knew it was going to benefit us later and the place does look great now’, said Natalie.
‘Then a pandemic came along. You have to think what is everyone going to be like after this. How are people going to behave. Who knows’.
‘Although, people I’ve spoken to have been saying they can’t wait to get treatments done, and ‘we’re going to need you more than ever then’.
Natalie who re-trained before opening Nailbou in 2015, followed by the Skin Cellar in 2018, has been overwhelmed by the messages of support she has received, since making the announcement about the closure.
‘The personal messages have been really touching. When you’re in the middle of it, you’re busy and you take it for granted. Even when we won awards, I was aware you could lose it all in a minute.’
‘Everyone has been so kind and supportive.She thanked the ‘wonderful, professional and friendly’ staff who worked in the business over the years, for their dedication and support and also the clients for their loyalty.‘I am grateful for all the loyalty that has been part of this success and if anyone has any queries or questions please email us at nailboutiquewex@gmail.com and we will answer every query’, she said.The Skin Cellar premises is currently closed but will re-open when the crisis is over.