The Nail Inn Beauty School Expanding To Joliet

JOLIET, IL — Just a few months after Fitwell Fashions clothing store closed, a new tenant has emerged, one that will generate substantial traffic along Joliet's downtown. Joliet resident Michele Birk signed a lease to occupy the former clothing store. For about 30 years, Birk has operated The Nail Inn and School of Cosmetology at 47 Stephen St. in historical downtown Lemont.

Now, she is branching out and opening a second location, here in Joliet, at 160 N. Chicago St. She will be next door to the CUT 158 Chophouse and less than a block away from the Jitters Coffee House.

"I love it," she said. "I just signed a lease on October 1."

Birk said she is hoping to open The Nail Inn around Dec. 1.

"I'm hoping for at least 100 (students)," Birk said. Most of her classes will have up to 25 students at a time.

In Lemont, her students range from high school students who are participating in the WILCO Area Career Center in Romeoville while one of her adult students is a 64-year-old woman who worked at Harrah's Casino, she said.

Her Lemont nail and beauty school draws students from Plainfield, Bolingbrook, Lemont and Romeoville, she said.

Birk's website informs people that, "We Are Not Your Typical Beauty School."

"The Nail Inn & School of Cosmetology believes in quality over quantity. Our classes are kept small so our instructors can spend an ample amount of time working hands-on with each student. We have a talented crew of educators, a unique learning program that encourages and rewards student achievement, and a national job placement network," her website reads.

For now, Birk will open her new Joliet business exclusively as The Nail Inn.

"I'm not beginning with cosmetology," she said.

Birk told Joliet Patch's editor that she moved to Joliet's Cathedral Area about five years ago and that her new downtown business will be six minutes from my house.

Birk has served as president of the Lemont Chamber of Commerce. "Our school does a lot of community service work," she added.

City of Joliet economic development specialist Derek Conley told Patch he was pleased to see the Fitwell's clothing store did not stay empty for long.

"I also think it's a great fit for the downtown," he said of The Nail Inn. "It's going to bring a lot of people downtown and hopefully support some of the other downtown businesses."

The North Chicago Street building where The Nail Inn is opening is owned by Joliet real estate investor Mike Petry. He owns several downtown properties, including the historic Barber Building on the same street.

To learn more about The Nail Inn and School of Cosmetology, visit its website here.