Teyana Taylor celebrated the launch of Junie Bee Nails, a ’90s-themed nail salon located in Harlem. Attendees at the event included Missy Elliott, Lil Kim, Dapper Dan and of course Taylor’s daughter Iman Tayla Shumpert Jr. aka Junie after whom the salon was named.
“Being from Harlem, I’ve always been big on nails,” Taylor told WWD. “A barber shop is more like a man cave, and that’s the vibe I wanted for the salon, but a woman cave. Something that had great vibes, great energy, great music. A lot of nail salons lack that, everybody stays to themselves on their phones or it’s so hush-hush you don’t want to talk. I want people to feel free and fun and colorful.”
Reebok sneakers hang from the ceiling and the salons walls are decorated with graffiti art. The shop’s pedicure station is modeled after a ’90s-erea subway, which people will have to board to get their nails done. Addressing the issue of having to wait for an available technician, guests will be given a hand-held beeper so they can leave the site and be buzzed when someone comes available.
Coty Inc.-owned OPI is Taylor’s exclusive partner at Junie Bee Nails, which Taylor opened in partnership with Coca Michelle, a nail tech who became friendly with Taylor when she did her nails on the set of “America’s Best Dance Crew” during the show’s 2015 season.
Taylor views the Harlem location as the first of many, noting, “I want Junie Bee Nails to be all around the world, and start expanding into beauty salons, makeup bars, things like that. I want my nail salons to be kind of like McDonald’s franchises. I probably wouldn’t have 1,000 [locations] in one city, but I wouldn’t mind having 20 or 30.”
Junie Bee Nails will be open to the public on February 20, 2018 for both walk ins and reservations.
Hours are Monday-Thursday 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM and Friday-Sunday 9:00 AM to 12:00 AM. Call 917-965-2720 or visit juniebeenailz.com to make an appointment. The shop is located at 2330 Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Boulevard in New York.
Check out some images from the Junie Bee Nails launch party below.
