After two years of planning and preparation, a husband and wife team are almost ready to open the doors of their new nail salon in Rosslyn.
Kevin Donohoo, a retired Army veteran, and Amber Donohoo, serial entrepreneur, former NASA project manager and owner of Dogtopia in Springfield, Va., are now the owners of Paint Nail Bar (1520 Clarendon Blvd) in Arlington.
With an opening party planned for Saturday, Oct. 24, the Donohoos are just weeks away from bringing a new luxury nail salon experience to the area.
“At PAINT, we understand that we are not a ‘nail salon,’ although we do nails. We do not look, feel, or smell like a traditional nail salon. From our custom-built furniture to our odorless environment, unparalleled staff development and engagement strategies, nails may be the trade, but relationships and client experience are the business,” the salon’s website says.
The Donohoos are franchisees of the Florida-based chain, which has locations in 13 states, including one in Leesburg.
The time of the opening party in Rosslyn is still to be determined, but once opened, the hours of operation will be as follows:
- Monday: Closed
- Tuesday: 10 a.m.-7 p.m.
- Wednesday: 10 a.m.-7 p.m.
- Thursday: 10 a.m.-8 p.m.
- Friday: 10 a.m.-7 p.m.
- Saturday: 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
- Sunday: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
The Donohoos say they’re actually looking forward to opening during the pandemic.
“I think it’s actually going to work in our favor that we are in a pandemic because our sterilization is far above and beyond any other nail salon in the area,” said Amber. “We use a hospital grade, heat sterilizer that is going to ensure that we are the cleanest salon around. I think that’s one of the things that people are looking for these days.”
“You have to feel safe enough to leave your house and go into a business, so having that knowledge that we are not only clean but sterile, I think is going to be a selling point for people coming in,” she added
Paint Nail Bar will be unique in other ways. It hosts special events — “fundraisers, birthday parties, bridal showers, baby sprinkles, or just a great time get together” — and has applied for a Virginia ABC permit to serve beer and wine.
Plus, the couple says, it’s more conscientious of wellness and the environment.
“The products are very, very important,” said Kevin. “The products that we use are free of a lot of the chemicals and they’re healthier for you; they’re healthier for your nails. It’s a fume-free, non-toxic environment, so you don’t get overwhelmed with that chemical punch in the face when you walk in to your typical salon. We don’t use pedicure thrones, we have basins that don’t have jets. The jets are pretty, they feel good, but there’s lot of potential for bacteria build-up in those and so we eliminate that and the infections that could come from the bacteria in those things by having a straight water basin.”
“I think that we’re in a time right now where self-care is so very important,” Kevin continued. “This is a simple and amazing way for people to get out of their homes and to a safe environment and be treated to a little slice of luxury and walk out feeling good about themselves… walking out with great looking nails, feeling refreshed before they go back to the work day.”
“It’s going to be an experience that [customers] will not forget,” Amber said.