Followup: Sisters’ Alki Beach business plans take a turn

Story and photos by Mary Sheely
Reporting for West Seattle Blog

There’s news about two Alki Beach businesses we wrote about in October, Boat Saigon Café at 2632 Alki SW, and Red Nails salon (initially known as Alki Beach Nails) around the corner at 2648 59th SW.

Nhung Tran, who owns both businesses along with her sister Thu Tran, tells us that Boat Saigon Café should open mid-January. Meanwhile, the Trans may be selling Red Nails, which has been open since November.

According to Nhung, she and Thu decided that Boat Saigon Café could keep them both busy enough that they should sell Red Nails, which they put up for sale not long after it opened. But though the salon is officially still listed for sale, Nhung isn’t ruling out keeping both businesses. She is, however, realistic: it’s winter on Alki Beach, and the nail salon could use more customers.

“Been open only one month, and every day have two, three, or one customer,” Nhung says, but makes a point of adding, “That’s not so bad. My friend [who also owns a nail salon] goes sometimes two days or three days, no customer. We’re slow because it’s winter, but still better than a lot of [businesses] that I have seen.”

Indeed, in the middle of the first rainy, gray Monday after the holidays, a new customer walks into the cheerful, bright pink salon and asks for a manicure. Grand opening prices are helping bring people in, Nhung says. A full manicure is $15, while a pedicure/manicure is $35. The salon also offers repairs, nail art, and foot massage ($10 for 20 minutes).

“If we don’t sell, we want to remodel,” Nhung says. She would like to add equipment to provide waxing and facials to help build up her customer base.

Both sisters remain optimistic about Boat Saigon Café, where renovations are nearly complete. Though rain has been thwarting some of the outside work, an attractive fence made up of panels with a leafy decoration is in place. You may have walked by – here’s a closer look:

Nhung thinks the café should be open within two weeks. In the meantime, she laughs, “If you want to support my nail salon, it’s okay.”

Thanks to Kelly for her e-mail tip about the possible sale, which inspired this followup.

bluebird January 5, 2010 (11:34 pm)

I think the the cafe is going to do great. looking forward to trying.

slh January 6, 2010 (3:28 am)

I will totally try out the cafe. It’ll be nice to have a reasonably quick, healthy option for food on Alki. Ever since the teriyaki joint left years ago, I’ve been hoping for something like this.

sa January 6, 2010 (12:02 pm)

Yeah, I wish the cafe luck and will give it a try. I hope the nail salon simply fades away however, they are just a notch below payday loan shops for trashing up a neighborhood.

beach January 7, 2010 (10:02 am)

This morning I have watched them walk across the street and at last count have taken 30 large buckets of sand from the beach to fill in the front yard, and still going. This is not right. Isn’t there a law about this?

WSB January 7, 2010 (10:12 am)

Beach – did you ask them if they had a permit?

If not, I would say, call the Parks Department. I can’t find info on whether it is illegal to remove sand from the beach; I would guess it is, although I don’t believe the sand is “native” to the beach.

http://seattle.gov/parks

beach January 7, 2010 (10:25 am)

There is no permit to “steal” sand from the beach. And especially mass amounts such as this. Parks department said it is highly illegal. I think it is a shame to come into our wonderful neighborhood and start “taking” before you are giving something back. I was out walking this morning and sat on a bench and watched a young man go back and forth over and over so I called Parks department. Doesn’t Home Depot have a home and garden section?

Diane January 7, 2010 (11:01 am)

wouldn’t this fall somewhat under the RANT rule?
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did you contact the business, inform them of the parks rule?
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I would not assume so quickly that this family is dong some evil act; perhaps in their Asian homeland this is natural and normal, and maybe it never occurred to them this might be illegal
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if you contacted the owners and informed them of rules/regs here, you might be surprised to find they are surprised, and unaware of need for permit or illegality
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if they were informed, and still “stole sand”, then this rant would be appropriate
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I hate to see a new business destroyed before they even open, possibly based on misinformation due to coming here from a very different culture

bebecat January 7, 2010 (12:12 pm)

If you go back and read the original post. (Oct. 26,2009) These business owners have been here in America since the 1980″s.

Diane January 7, 2010 (1:14 pm)

re original post. (Oct. 26,2009)
“Nhung does most of the talking because Thu’s English is not as strong. Both women came to America from Vietnam in the 1980s – “We are boat people,” Nhung says, explaining the name of their café”

alki_2008 January 7, 2010 (10:22 pm)

@beach: “I think it is a shame to come into our wonderful neighborhood and start “taking” before you are giving something back.”
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Oh geez, are you serious? I think it’s a shame you’re ‘taking’ my air and bandwidth without giving anything back. These sisters are opening a business (which many residents might appreciate) in the neighborhood. What have you given to the neighborhood, besides your negative attitude?

John January 14, 2010 (4:23 pm)

I wish them the best luck with both businesses!! Alki needs them both, yes, also the Nail saloon!
@beach: what a negative attitude you have. Maybe try starting up your own business one day – I hope you also will do well! John.

Glenda January 18, 2010 (8:53 pm)

After checking out Red Nails and getting a pedicure, we were invited to a “soft launch” of the restaurant when we asked about it. Just pho right now, for mostly family and friends, the actual restaurant opens next week. But can I say, the pho is EXCELLENT! So fresh, and has a more handcooked flavor than the more industrial pho I’m more used to. I love Than Bros, but this definitely had more flavor and better quality of meat. I will be going back when it opens. They said they would also have Vietnamese sandwiches to go, and pastries. Great view from the dining area as well.

Oh, and a note to Beach, their front area appeared to be entirely of gravel, not beach sand, so I’m not sure where they were dumping it if they were. The only place I know with sand in front is the other house, Slices. You sure you weren’t getting the businesses confused?