A new nail salon with a vintage feel will soon be opening up on South Grand Avenue.
Karlee Utterback is opening KlawzbyKarlee Boutique Nails at 612 S. Grand Ave. The salon will host a preview event at the end of July and will officially begin welcoming customers on Aug. 13.
Utterback said she has been wanting to open a nail salon for several years but put the idea on hold while she focused on raising her young family. When she saw the South Grand building, which formerly housed the Off the Park Hair and Nail Studio, was available, she decided it was time to make her dream a reality.
“When I saw the building that fit with my vision, I just decided I’ve got to do it,” she said. Utterback is leaning into the historic character of the space as she designs the salon. “It’s going to feel like you’re walking into this vintage speakeasy.”
KlawzbyKarlee will offer manicures and pedicures, including dip powder manicures and builder gel. The salon will feature Utterback’s own polish line, also called KlawzbyKarlee.
“That’s the only polish that will be used because I know all the ingredients that are in it,” Utterback said.
Products from local artisans also will be for sale in the salon, including handcrafted candles from Brooke McDaniel of Divine Brewed Wicks.
Utterback said she has loved getting her nails done ever since she would go to the salon with her mom as a middle school student.
“Now I’m trying to bring what I’ve always imagined that experience should be like into a salon,” she said. “Clients can slow down and relax. The focus is on them – not just getting them out of the chair. They aren’t just another number.”