SEYMOUR – Fresh manicure and a pedi while sipping on a free cocktail? Count Nancy Taylor in!
Taylor, of Seymour, was one of the first customers to visit Magic Nails Bar, a new business at 57 New Haven Road (Route 67) that held a grand opening April 24.
“I live right up the street, and I just love it here,” Taylor said as a technician shaped Taylor’s nails. “The people here are awesome and very friendly. And what’s not to love about getting free drinks?”
Taylor relaxed in a plush leather chair as her nails were cleaned, buffed and dressed up in a spring manicure, adorned with colorful crystals and softly painted flowers.
Kaitlin Testani, of Oxford, heard about the new salon opening though Facebook and decided to stop in. Her freshly painted toes sported a vibrant shade of pink, as Testani sipped a cup of tea from the salon’s bar.
“The pictures (online) looked so beautiful, so I came in for a pedicure,” Testani said. “It’s very clean and that’s important. When you walk in here, it’s like a gorgeous spa. The people are super nice and super accommodating. I’m going to buy gift cards for Mother’s Day.”
Owner Sophang Lee, a native of Vietnam who moved to Connecticut more than 30 years ago, said he’s excited to be in Seymour. Lee opened his first Magic Nails Bar in Bridgeport some 30 years ago. When he saw the vacant building in Seymour up for sale, he decided to buy it and open a second location. According to town land records, the building was purchased for $435,000 in April 2025.
The space previously housed a sunroom/hot tub business, and before that the property was home to a used car sales lot.
“I drove by the building many times and one day I saw it was for sale,” Lee said. “I bought the building and tried to figure out what I was going to open there. I thought about a restaurant, but many people encouraged me to open a nail salon. I know there are many nail salons here in the Valley and beyond, but when you want the best, you come here.”
Magic Nails offers a variety of services including manicures, pedicures, acrylic and color powder, dipping powder, gel services, kid services, brows by Emily, eyelash extensions, waxing, and complimentary drinks.
Lee spent the past few months renovating the 2,000-square-foot space. Stepping inside, customers are welcomed to a marble-top bar, where receptionist/bartender Jessica Muniz greets them with a complimentary cocktail, mocktail, soft drink, coffee tea, glass of wine or champagne with their service.
Muniz was a longtime customer of Lee’s at his other salon before coming to work for him.
“My whole family has been getting their eyelashes and nails done by them forever,” Muniz said. “This place is amazing, it’s so welcoming. It’s clean, it’s beautiful and it’s classy and it’s nice to look at beautiful surroundings while you’re getting your nails or other services done. And the prices are very reasonable for the services you get.”
On one side of the salon, a long row of cushy leather loungers flank a bank of floor to ceiling sliding glass doors. Rows of shelving stocked with every color of nail polish under the sun, and backlit with soft lighting, fills an entire wall on the other side of the salon. A small room off to the side is equipped with two luxury swivel chairs, with gold arms, to accommodate those in need of microblading for their eyebrows.
On the second level, a gas fireplace encased in a white and gold cabinet with a marble top and small seating area greets customers. White and purple orchids in tall vases and another row of comfy chairs fill the space where services like waxing and eyelash extensions are done.
Lee said he wanted to create a luxurious space for customers to enjoy, relax and be pampered in.
“I put my life savings into this,” Lee said. “We’ve been crazy busy and I’m so excited to welcome everyone here.”
Seymour First Selectwoman Annmarie Drugonis along with her administrative assistant, Steve Ditria, helped Lee and his staff of eight employees celebrate the grand opening.
Drugonis said it was great to see the property come back to life. Magic Nails Bar is open from 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday-Saturday. They can be reached at 203-828-6138 or 203-828-6273. More information can be found on their website or Facebook page.
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