Renovations Underway for New Nail Salon in Roosevelt Center

Construction was underway today in the vacant Variety Store at 139 Centerway in . Construction manager John Nguyen said the incoming business will be a nail salon.

Glancing at a sheet of paper, Nguyen said he thought its name was Solar Nails. Although he couldn't commit to a date, he said it could be ready to open as early as December.

Next door at , Maria said she talked to the new owner, and he told her it would be a nail salon.

Maria does not offer manicures or pedicures in her shop, but said that a lot of women come in and ask if there's a nail place nearby. The closest one Maria knows of is in Greenway Station Shopping Center.

Greenbelt has been abuzz about what would occupy the space, some wanted a soda fountain, others a hardware store, and there was talk about a bakery with tables for eating in, along with much more speculation.

Patsy Sovoka, a hair stylist who works at Maria's, said she wasn't sure those other options would have made it. She thought a nail salon would be great, though, and a good fit with the beauty shop.

Betty Price, who has worked nearby at the for 42 years, liked the idea of a nail salon. "I don't know of anything else that would fit in," she said referring to some of the other options that residents had been tossing about.

Very excited about the nail salon, Sovoka said she would be surprised if it didn't make it, adding that she saw a lot of women frequenting Roosevelt Center. I'd give it a 98 percent chance of success, she said.

Standing nearby, Price said she'd give it an 80 percent chance of success. For her part, Maria also gave it an 80 percent chance of success.

Now it's your turn. Care to venture a guess? You do not have to be a registered user to take the poll — all you need is to click.