It’s another example of a small business being creative to stay afloat during the pandemic. A Montclair nail salon has set up an outdoor spa area to help boost its business.

At first glance, the area set up outside of Elite Nails on Valley Road in Montclair looks like an outdoor restaurant, but it is actually a place where clients can get their nails done.

“My boss and I were thinking about how a lot of restaurants opened outside. So, we thought, let us do it outside,” says manager Ellie Seo.

The owner of the business asked the strip mall landlord if he could take up a few spots in the parking lot for the outdoor area. Landlord Tom Moloughney says that he was on board as soon as he got the OK from the other businesses on the strip.

“He put it together in a matter of a week. He was able to put things together and get us out here,” Moloughney says. “Customers are really comfortable sitting out here in the open area. They feel totally safe.”

The outdoor space allows customers who are uncomfortable being indoors during the pandemic to still be pampered. It will also increase the salon’s bookings since nail salons are only allowed to operate at 25% capacity indoors.

Elite Nails only opened up in late December, so the pandemic forced it to close after only three months of being in business. The owner says that the outdoor area has made a big difference in making up lost revenue.

Moloughney says that he also lowered the salon’s rent during the months they were closed.