Monroe Township, N.J. — Simmy Bredal-Bell — I moved back to my home state of New Jersey from Florida about seven years ago. I concentrated on being an educator and have made a living without working “in a salon” ever since. (I do have a small home studio, Simmy’s Place — Hands, Feet & Facial Retreat, where I service a few clients and hold classes.) That being said, I didn’t know too many nails-only salons in New Jersey. I finally found Platinum Nails about 40 minutes away.  My visit to Platinum Nails was a refreshing change.

With nail salons on almost every corner, it’s getting harder to find a salon where the staff knows you by name and where you can feel confident that you will receive a quality service at a reasonable price while enjoying friendly conversation.

When the sister team of Danielle Bonilla and Carrie Fredo learned that a new shopping center was being built, they knew they had to act fast. “We pulled the salon together with the help of family and friends. Our father is in the construction industry, and he really helped with the decor. We are so happy we listened to him,” confesses Danielle. In April 2007, after being in the nail industry for 26 years collectively, Carrie and Danielle opened the doors of Platinum Nails to the existing clients of their seven staff members and the citizens of Monroe Township. 

Danielle describes her salon concept as “a comfortable place for clients to come and enjoy their nail services,” and it was exactly what I was looking for. As I walked up to the front door the first thing I noticed were the curtains. Though sheer, they give privacy not commonly found in a nail salon. Inside, warm earth tones and soft lighting help create the overall feel, including stylish spot lighting over each station (as opposed to the more typical fluorescent lighting). A half wall separates the main area from the pedicure thrones, and a polish-drying bar lets clients relax after their services. 

 

The salon offers a full menu of services, including waxing. A pedicure was on my agenda this visit and I was delighted to see that individually wrapped nail and foot files were laid out for my service. Although this salon delivers “hometown” nail salon services, they keep up with the latest in trends and products. Gel enhancements are the most-requested service, according to my nail tech Lisa Colosimo, but natural nail services are increasing due to all of the new brush-on gel polish product releases.  

Platinum Nails continues the salon tradition of hospitality and all the comforts of spending time with friends. Among the amenities are three flat-screen TVs and a coffee bar. “The clients really enjoy the coffee bar,” Danielle says. Danielle and Carrie consider the suggestions of their staff members, which makes for a positive environment. After all, keeping staff happy also filters down to happy clients and it shows. As I left the salon I realized that my time there lived up to everything that they envisioned as their goals — pleasant conversation, a good cup of coffee, and my feet feeling alive again. 

(On a side note: At the time of my visit, Danielle was one month away from delivering her third baby, and we would like to offer our congratulations!)