The corner where Chutney’s once stood will soon be home to Apollo Nails in the new Stream Fifteen building (Image: Photo by Derek Reeves via NK Architects)
(Image: Apollo Nails)
There’s going to be a new business on 15th Ave that doesn’t involve marijuana. Apollo Nail Salon is set to take up all of the commercial space in the new Stream Fifteen building on 15th and Mercer.
Owner Johnny Le and his wife and business partner Connie say they’ve been wanting to open something on Capitol Hill and are only now finding the right space, about 3,000 square feet of it.
“We thought it was a great spot,” Johnny Le said. “Capitol Hill was always on our mind.”
The couple opened their first salon in Poulsbo 10 years ago. A few years later, they expanded to Silverdale, and then Queen Anne in 2012.
Once they open, Le said they hope to offer a full spa-type experience for women and men, including nails — both mani and pedi), facials, waxing, and eyelash extensions. He said they will not use acrylics for nails, which should mean no fumes wafting up to the apartment dwellers overhead.
“You can go in and smell fresh air,” Le said.
Le said they are striving for a place that looks and feel high-end, but has prices more toward the middle of the pack.
“We want them to feel a little like they’re on vacation,” he said. “They’re going to be getting pampered.”
The couple already operates a location in Seattle, so they weren’t scared off by the city’s higher-and-climbing minimum wage. Employees make the minimum wage plus tips, he said. As the cost of wages goes up, Le said there may have to be some price increases to offset the added cost. He was quick to add that he may be sharing the pain, as well.
“As owners, we understand we may take a little loss as well,” he said. “We’ll definitely want to take care of our employees.”
Apollo Nails will enter a rather crowded beauty market on a short stretch of 15th Ave E. The most direct competitor would be Nail Connection at 345 15th Ave E which also offers manis, pedis and waxing. The street’s beauty veteran Wax On, at 521 15th Ave E, is all about the waxing. And of course, Red Chair Salon, Tim/Jim’s Barber, Rudy’s, and Integra are also on the strip to get your hair did.
Le hopes Apollo will open in April. For more information, visit apollonailsandspa.com.
