These days, we often hear talk about Newton having so many elected local officials. And we also hear talk about Newton having so many nail salons. So which is more prevalent in our fair city? Do we have enough nail salons for each elected official to have his/her own, or would they have to share?
Newton currently has 33 elected officials among the Mayor, School Committee representatives, and City Councilors (not counting the somewhat indeterminant number of Neighborhood Area Council members).
A recent count reveals 35 nail salons in Newton. You can click on the pins on this map to get name and contact info for each. Click on the photo above to get a street-front tour of them all. (Unlike elected officials, they are not distributed equally by ward.)
So many officials, so many nail salons. Which is your favorite?
MT in West Newton. No frills but they do a good job. This post cracks me up. Now, how many bank branches?
I once did a study on nail salons. Economically, they have low start up costs, rely on owner labor, often are family owned businesses, and low barriers to entry.
I only found out years later that the folks who work there have serious health impacts. I believe there was a recent study regarding fertility issues with nail salon employees.
As for having too many, the free market does what it does. Demand must be there to some extent.
I would love an Indian restaurant in Newton if we are talking about things we miss in our villages. Newtonville has Burritos, Chinese, Thai, More Expensive Chinese, Sports bar, Diner, Ice Cream, modern American awesomness (Cook), Ice Cream/diner, less expensive diner, Sushi, pizza, pizza, coffee, coffee, coffee, bread shop. But no Indian food. And no Spanish tapas.
Is it too much to ask for all of my food choices to be within walking distance?
As for a favorite nail salon, I’ve heard good things about Smudge. Plus, great name.
Fig,
We cannot have more restaurants without more density. Restaurants live and die by having a constant stream of customers. Once customer volume decreases, the ‘freshness’ of their food goes down and enters a vicious cycle of stale food and reduced customers.
I look forward to all the great restaurants opening on Washington Place.
BTW, cheap labor fuels Nail Salons, often illegals paid less than minimum wage when considering the hours they work. Amazon killed all the other retail because its so convenient and the price/service is first class.
bugek:
I was just joking. I actually think Newtonville has a great mix of dining for its size.
Austin Street and Orr Block, along with Walnut redo, will certainly bring new dining opportunities and customers.
Density = More restaurants ?
You guys are dreaming having drunk the cool-aid. A few hundred more residents in the Austin -Orr complexes isn’t going provoke a single additional restaurant / eatery to open. Instead of nail salons or banks let’s do a count of food service facilities vs the 85,000 residents we have living here and then go into business. ( not ) !
There used to be a nice little Indian restaurant on Union St.
@Meredith, I believe it was India Palace and I loved the Lamb Vindaloo. I think it did a good business. But it closed suddenly with nothing more than a handwritten sign on the door. My recollection is that the owner returned to India. Definitely a loss.
Another big void in the restaurant options is al fresco dining, and for me the picnic tables in front of Deluxe Diner and Terry O”Reilly’s don’t cut it! I’m talking a nice large street facing patio that draws you in. I believe there was/is? a ordinance that restricts outdoor tables to two, but I think that has been revised. Not sure on that. Sidewalk space is probably a barrier, but creative use of space could help.
For those concerned about the toxicity of the air in Nail Salons, or chemicals in the polish seeping into your fingernails and beyond, try Salon XS on High Street in Waltham. They specialize in non-toxic nail polish, specifically ZOYA. Can also get your standard polishes and gels.
India Palace was great! I was sad when it closed. Luckily living in West Newton, I’m close to Little India in Waltham. Yum. Singh’s in Wellesley is also quite good.
Jon:
Thank you for the rec. I’ve already passed it on to a few people.
Couldn’t help but chime in on Little India. Love that place.
And Claire, if you want more al fresco dining, PLEASE send a comment to the Walnut Street Newtonville project. I’ve been asking and pushing for pocket parks near established restaurants. You lose a parking space or two, you gain outside dining for a season. New York has a bunch of them. Or if the sidewalks end up big enough, expanding to more tables should be an option, but the city has to help out our local restaurants by granting seat variences I think.
I’m also hoping for outdoor patios at both Austin Street and Washington Place, but we’ll see.
But we are in complete agreement on the outdoor dining. It is awesome. Really hopeful that Brewers Coalition and Rox Diner figure out a way to do it, with the City’s help.
And I owe both Claire and Mary Mary an apology. I thought you were just here for the election. I was wrong. Glad you have kept posting.
You don’t need more density to get diners in the front door. While I may live in Waban and delight in the offerings of Stone Lovin’, I happily visit dining establishments all over Newton, especially in Newtonville, Newton Highlands, Needham St. (whose village identity eludes me), Chestnut Hill, West Newton, Newton Corner and Newton Centre and also frequent Waltham, Brookline, Dedham and Framingham for victuals!!!! No, we don’t walk to these establishments, but are able to reach them with the freedom afforded by our automobile. We also shop for food (occasionally, when we eat at home) in Wellesley and Sudbury!
Himalayan Bistro in West Roxbury is opening another restaurant in Newton Centre soon, according to one of their waiters.
Sallee, I think Needham Street is the Highlands up until Tower Road, then it becomes Upper Falls. I think…
Claire, I totally agree with the idea of al fresco dining! Wouldn’t that be awesome? It requires wider sidewalks than most of our village centers have now. One of the components of the proposed plans for Newtonville / Walnut Street includes widening the sidewalks, so al fresco dining would be not only allowed but encouraged.
Did Himalayan Bistro say where in Newton Centre? The place on Union Street closed years ago but was a nice option while it existed. Wherever they open, I hope they’ll offer takeout, a huge convenience. (Are you listening, Little Big Diner?)
@Amanda, The waiter said it’s going either near or into the spot where Sapporo is/was. (I haven’t been down there in a long time. Does anyone know if Sapporo is still there?)
Himalayan Bistro is really good. I’m happy to see it coming to Newton.
@Andy Levin. Parts of the border between the Highlands and Upper Falls have always been a bit undefined. I’d like to think the Highlands extends down Needham Street to Tower Road, but I’m afraid it does not if zip codes define where one village ends and another starts. National Lumber and National Tower are clearly located in the 02461 zip code, but by the time you get to McDonald’s, it’s become 02459.
Hmm. Sapporo is still in business, at least as of today. Maybe Himalayan Bistro has its eye on another space nearby.