.jpg)
Chance Encounter Brought Family To Lexington
“Everything that we do is intentional and the magic that brought us to Lexington continues and is evident at the salon,” said Crystal DeMott, owner of Lex Nail Bar and Esthetics.
Located on West Washington Street in the building that formerly housed the Wells Fargo Mortgage Office, Lex Nail Bar opened in 2022. This month it has expanded and changed its name to Lex Nail Bar and Esthetics.
In addition to nails, the business currently offers permanent jewelry, facials and waxing services.
“We will soon be doing hydrofacials, dermaplaning, lash extensions, lash lifts, eyebrow lamination, nanoinfusion, microneedling, and other esthetics services,” said DeMott.
DeMott, born and raised in Hays, Kansas, attended Kansas State University, receiving a B.S. in dietetics with minors in food science and Spanish. After moving to Las Vegas, she made her way to Northern Virginia where she met her husband and co-owner Tom, and would eventually give birth to their daughter Olivia Grace.
A born entrepreneur, she was running a very successful business until the Covid lockdown began. Being forced to pivot, she decided to attend nail school while pregnant and her business was temporarily shuttered. Owning a nail salon was a dream that she had talked about often … it was time to make the dream a reality.
When Olivia was old enough, Crystal started working at a nail salon in Arlington. One afternoon she was doing a blue French tip manicure on a client that turned out to be a Washington and Lee University graduate who was getting her nails done before attending her postponed 2020 graduation.
They talked about what an amazing place Lexington was (and how badly a luxury nail salon was needed) for over an hour and by the end of that manicure, there was a spark that ignited an idea that led to a plan to move to Lexington and open a nail salon.
Her husband Tom retired from operating high-volume restaurants in Alexandria to fully support and participate in Crystal’s vision. The family moved to Lexington about six months later while scouting locations for their salon.
“We believe in magic and when the universe laid a path in front of us, we made an intentional choice to follow that path to see where it would lead,” she said.
Lex Nail Bar was designed around a mission to “create the best salon experience of our guests’ lives.
“That was our goal, and we reverse engineered our business to achieve that vision; world-class hospitality, exceptional service, using only the best products the market has to offer, all in a clean, fumefree elegant space that has fanatical attention to the health, happiness, safety, and sanitation for its guests and staff,” said DeMott.
Crystal personally designed every aspect of the building and directed the renovations which Tom and their carpenter literally put their blood, sweat and tears into. The result became the ideal environment for their new salon, which she called a “modern and elegant space” shaped to her distinct style: “minimalist and dramatic, done all in black, white, and gold with warm wood and pops of green from all the live plants.”
Since its inception, Lex Nail Bar has transcended the typical role of a salon. According to owner DeMott, the journey has been about more than just providing topnotch manicures and facials; it has been about nurturing a sense of belonging and support among its patrons.
Now celebrating its two-year anniversary, Lex Nail Bar has woven itself into the fabric of the Lexington community. It is a happy, joyful place where everyone knows your name.
“Lex Nail Bar is not only a place where you can get a great manicure, pedicure or facial but has become an essential part of the community where meaningful connections are made that lifts up, celebrates and supports anyone who needs it,” De-Mott emphasizes.
This ethos of inclusivity and support has endeared Lex Nail Bar to its clientele, turning first-time visitors into loyal patrons.
Beyond its physical services, Lex Nail Bar actively participates in community initiatives, whether through charity events, sponsorships, or simply being a hub for local news and updates. This active involvement has solidified its role as more than just a business in town but as a valued community partner.
