Lee and Amy Nguyen are putting their best foot forward to become one of many nail care providers in the Capital City.
The couple, who currently work at another nail location in town, are making their dreams a reality and opening their own business in the coming weeks.
Signs have already been posted alerting the public to their anticipated opening. Lee Nails and Spa will be located in the shopping center on Missouri Boulevard that also houses Little Caesars, Auto Zone and Moser's.
Although the choices for nail care in Jefferson City are great in number, Amy is confident that her nice service will attract customers and keep them coming back.
"It's a new place, a clean place," she noted. "He's the best at nails," Amy said of her husband.
The nail salon will have eight pedicure chairs and two kid chairs.
"We'll have nails and pedicures for both women and men. It's not just for women; men can come too," she encouraged. Amy also noted that the location will be ideal for wedding and bachelorette parties, as there will be plenty of space.
The building is currently undergoing minor construction to prepare a relaxing atmosphere for the grand opening. The local entreprenuers hope to open their new salon by the end of July. With it will be a grand opening special.
Diverse and health conscious
Also opening in the shopping center by Moser's is a new restaurant. Everest Cafe and Bar will be located in what used to be Taste of India. The restaurant will be the third location for business owner and executive chef Dr. Devi Gurung States. He currently owns and operates two locations in St. Louis.
States will open the "Nepalese, Korean and Indian Cuisine" eatery at the end of July. The restaurant focuses on healthy choices, offering organic, vegan and fresh heart-healthy options.
"We believe that diet is an important factor in preventing chronic diseases and maintaining a healthy lifestyle," the restaurant's website says.
States, originally from Nepal, said he is just making his dreams come true, helping people to eat healthy and enjoy it. The owner stressed the importance of eating healthy, and said his restaurant never uses processed food, ghee, butter or cream (except in some Indian items) to prepare meals.
"Ghee and butter are not allowed in my kitchen," States said.
The Everest Cafe and Bar's mission is to impress every customer that comes through its doors. It strives for quality, fresh and well-prepared meals; respect and professionalism; and a comfortable and clean environment.
"If I won't eat it, I won't sell it to customers," he noted.
States said although he won't be cooking at the Jefferson City restaurant on a regular basis, he has been training a chef for a year and a half to carry on his culinary practice.
The Jefferson City location will mirror the existing restaurants, offering a lunchtime buffet, fine dining and carryout.
"I'm excited to be in Jeff City. I hope people will support me," States said.
Having lived in Jefferson City in the late '90s, Devi said the city is perfect for his restaurant.
There are "definitely a lot of very educated people, professional and open-minded," as well as many health care professionals.
States began his journey in America after living on the streets of Kathmandu as an orphaned teenager. He found a job at a restaurant when he was 16, a job that sparked his dream of owning his own eatery. He eventually came to the United States with a man who became a second father to him, Dr. James States. The man had just completed his ascent of Mount Everest, a memory that became the inspiration for his restaurant's name. Devi excelled in school, earning bachelor's degrees in pre-medicine, psychology and later social work. He earned a master's in social work and later his doctorate degree in public health. Because of his education, States decided to bring his dreams together, helping people through healthy eating. He has also founded a not-for-profit called the Himalayan Family Healthcare Project.
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