For many people, getting a mani-pedi is a treat they likely don’t have to think too much about. But for individuals with different needs, this “treat” might be more complex and in some cases not attainable.
At Serenity Nail Spa on Highland Avenue, however, ensuring all individuals are able to access and enjoy salon services is standard practice. On Monday, the spa was recognized with the first Good Neighbor Award issued by Needham’s Commission on Disabilities.
Karen Morales, who joined the board in 2021, said the commission is always looking for ways to raise awareness and visibility. Morales, who uses a wheelchair, mentioned to the rest of the members what a great job the employees at Serenity had done to accommodate her, and the commission realized the value of recognition.
“It was just really about applauding their work and being so accommodating to people with needs,” she said. She saw a child with tremors get help from two employees, so one could hold her hands and the other could apply the polish, she has seen neurodiverse individuals receive services. And at times, when transferring from her wheelchair wasn’t possible, a technician sat on the floor to give Morales a pedicure.
Morales said she met another board member, who is blind, at the spa one day. “I was just taken by how the woman was describing all of the paint colors, and they go out and meet her at her ride. So I’m having my nails done, and you have a blind woman next to a woman in a wheelchair that you just helped transfer, next to two elderly people. I thought it was really beautiful.”
“It does feel good to be recognized,” said Serenity owner Daniel Choe, who opened the spa in collaboration with his mom in 2021. “The fact that someone would go out of their way to offer a little recognition and a thank you definitely means a lot and goes a long way to keeping us motivated.”
Choe said he definitely tries to instill that awareness and ability to pivot to the needs of others in his employees. But to him, it’s not just about business. “I just feel like it’s the normal way to go about life, really,” he said. “Just whatever you can offer someone whether they’re a client or someone you meet on the street, just doing whatever you can for another person is something not so much business, but the way I was brought up. It comes naturally more than anything else.”
Morales said she hopes the award will bring awareness to businesses that serve individuals with all needs and help those individuals find places that will make the extra effort. “If you have an elderly parent, for example, or for assisted living places, this salon will be kind,” she said.
For this first award, commission members selected the recipient. Going forward, Morales said the board plans to involve the community in the nomination process and present the award annually between Thanksgiving and the end of the year.
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