Tomorrow you can have your nails done

It has been a long road of recovery since the 5 alarm fire that struck in downtown Renton over 2 months adversely affected the building housing the CK Nail and Spa on South Third Street. Granted, the building that went up in flames was around the corner on Wells Ave. S. but the thousands of gallons of water that were used to save the block from going up in flames rained down heavily through the roof of the salon. After all the other businesses seemed to have gotten up and running thus far, CK is just now ready to reopen their doors once again.

Chi and her husband, Kevin were both in the store this afternoon putting the last finishing touches in preparation for opening tomorrow. The entire salon was gutted and redone, with a new color on the walls and a rejuvenated air about the place.

Tomorrow there will be specials to welcome the clientele back, so spread the word and come on in to have a soothing mani/pedi in the deluxe spa chairs. Rub the Happy Buddha's belly while you are there. Many other shop owners might have thrown in the towel and walked away. Lucky for us, Chi and her nail salon decided to stay.

CK Nails & Spa
900 S. Third St. (425)282-6453
Mon - Sat: 9am-7pm Closed Sunday

The man you call after the fire cools down

Smoke, soot, water, mildew, mold - after a fire the size that hit downtown Renton last week, the clean-up process is daunting. It's more than just pushing a mop and wiping down the walls. It takes professional help and care - and fast. If not attended to immediately, the mold and mildew of tons of water that sluiced through your establishment trying to put the fire out will leave their damage.

Luckily Mike Roberts was on the scene even before the fire inspectors were letting the business owners in to inspect their losses. Mike was already keenly evaluating what equipment needed to be brought over, the crew he needed to gather and the first actions he had to take to help Common Ground Coffee and Cupcakes, CK Nail Spa and Salon, and the Renton Laptop Computer Store start to clean up.

CK Nail Spa and Salon

Even though these three businesses were not involved in the fire or the building that now lays in ruins, the water used by the firemen to contain the spread of the flames filtered into their shops. From what Mike Roberts tried to explain to me, the firemen needed to cut a trough for the water to run through while attacking the fire. The water then came in a little bit to the Common Ground, a little more to the Computer Store, but unfortunately for the Nail Salon, most of the water then ended up there. When Chi and Kevin, the owners of the salon, first opened the door, at least 6 inches deep of water ran out. It will take a much longer time for the Nail Salon to recover and reopen.

I am mentally rubbing the belly of Buddha, in Asia meant to help the bringing of good luck, that the CK Nail Spa and Salon gets back to giving the best manicures and pedicures around real soon.

When talking to the owners of Common Ground yesterday, Papa Cupcakes (yes, that's what I call him!) says that they wouldn't even be able to think about opening by possibly tomorrow if it hadn't been for Mike Roberts and his team working from the absolute first possible moment to get their place clean and up and going. They thought he just cleaned carpets - they had no idea that he had specialized machinery, fans, you name it, to help in such drastic conditions. It also helped that Mike's wife, Crystal, works for Hang and Lang at the Cupcake Shop. He told me that she was very unhappy about the fire, and Mike firmly believes in "Happy Wife, Happy Life." And Mike has been nearly exhausting himself these past few days to make sure that Crystal, and everyone else, is feeling better after the fire.

Mike Roberts also told me that to get started with his intense work, he was going to need a huge container on site to throw out damaged pieces of building from the fire. Jennifer Davis Hayes heard him and delivered immediately - and the container's cost was footed by the City of Renton. Just another reason to acknowledge - Hey, that's what's great about Renton!

Venturi Clean 206 - 522 - 4444 17660 West Valley Highway, Tukwilla,WA
www.venturiclean.com

After the Renton fire - CK Nail Salon

The CK Nail Salon which is just around the corner from the building that was the site of our 5 Alarm Fire last night, has suffered some damages and must remained closed until further notice. As you can see from the photo - the ceiling sustained some fire damage and the whole store of course has a heavy smell of smoke. Not conducive to business at all - oh, and add to that the loss of power (which the city is working on as I write this to help reinstate for all of the businesses without it today - yeah Renton !), Chi and her hubby, Kevin, have to go stay closed for the moment. Good news is, when asked - Chi did say they had insurance (note: this is not the same building where the fire occurred, though the buildings did have a common basement it seems).

The great thing is that again, Renton cares. I overheard the first client that came by to check on her appointment and the state of affairs at the Nail Salon, the owner of the Cedar River Day Spa on N. First Street, ask Chi if she needed her and her mother to come by on Sunday and lend a hand in cleaning. Breaks my heart just a little every time I write about these private and caring moments that tragedy in our city brings out in people.

Here is Chi and her daughter on the sidewalk outside her establishment. You can just read her face to see how she feels today.

CK Nails & Spa 900 S. Third St. (425)282-6453

Call to check on when Chi can make an appointment - support our local businesses in their time of need!

Time for a new Spring coat - of nail polish, that is

Desperate times call for desperate measures - but sometimes cutting back goes too far, and that's when I need help to help me stay the course - I need a little remedial nail time at the salon. You know what I'm talking about ladies - it's when you just can't do "maintenance" yet another month - you need to call in the professionals. Chi has owned CK Nail Salon on South Third for almost 2 years and her place is super - super clean, super massage chairs to relax the aches away, super friendly. Spring is about to be sprung - treat yourself before it's too late and you can't bare your feet in public. Mani/pedi $30 - it's like a mini spa experience. Waxing and facials also available. Then just do the upkeep yourself for awhile ....but believe me when I tell you, it's time to get back on course now - you'll feel so good, every penny will be well spent.
CK Nails & Spa 900 S. Third St. (425)282-6453
Mon - Sat: 9am-7pm Closed Sunday