By Mary Sheely
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
Nhung Tran loves the beach.
“I really would like to spend the rest of my life on a beach location. So would she,” she says, indicating her sister Thu (on the left in our photo).
Now the women will get the chance – at least during working hours. Nhung and Thu Tran are partners in two new businesses set to open in the coming weeks on Alki Beach.
The first, Alki Beach Nails at 2648 59th Ave. SW (map), is scheduled to open November 1. Right around the corner, the second, a Vietnamese restaurant to be named Boat Saigon Café, located at 2632 Alki Ave. SW (map), will take a little longer.
Nhung and Thu are very excited about both.
“Thu will be the cook,” Nhung says of the cafe, which will feature “Vietnamese traditional food like coffee and sandwiches and pho. Thu is a good cook – very good cook.”
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 – settling in Olympia before moving to Seattle about ten years ago.
Nhung worked for years as a sewing contractor; Thu has a once-a-week position with US-Asian International Group, which brings musicians to Tulalip Casino.
Alki Beach Nails will be a small business – there’s space in the bright-pink back room for three pedicure chairs – and will offer nail service as well as foot massage. “ I have experience in that,” Nhung says. The space is just about ready to go.
“I am so happy with this location,” says Nhung. “There are no nail [salons] around here; people come a lot to enjoy the beach here.”
The location for Boat Saigon Café will be even better, once renovations are made. Until recently, the building, built in 1916 as a private home, was still being used as a residence. But it’s zoned for “neighborhood commercial,” and now the still-carpeted living room contains a jumble of restaurant-style tables and chairs, with large decorative panels leaning against the walls. Nhung shows a mockup she’s made of the changes the women are going to make – a counter for take-out, a few indoor tables, a space alongside the outdoor seating area – currently a small, muddy yard – for planting flowers.
“Most food we’ll have to-go,” she says. “Just a few tables here, maybe ten seats max in here and outside maybe 12 or 10 – small – just to enjoy the beach.” How soon Boat Saigon Café will open “depends on the State, the Health Department,” Nhung says. “Very soon, we hope!”
Until then, the sisters will be running the nail salon and enjoying the view – even on a gray, overcast day. “Every day we can enjoy – earlier on the beach, late at night, the sunset. Every time is beautiful,” Nhung says. “ I love it very much.”
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