'Prosecco Nail Bar' to pioneer new type of salon in Canberra

Amidst all the pampering and polishes, I think many will agree there’s something missing from Canberra’s slew of nail salons (apart from an episode of Top Gear on the screens for the men to watch while they wait, obviously).

A flute of bubbly, madam?

A new store coming to the South.Point shopping centre in Tuggeranong promises to do the trick. It’s in the name – ‘Prosecco Nail Bar’.

Signage advertising the new salon has gone up in the former courtyard area between the entrances of Target and The Good Guys as part of the multimillion-dollar redevelopment called ‘The Point’.

When it was announced in October, South.Point marketing manager Amy Young said that “young people and young families in Tuggeranong have had limited choices for getting together in an easy, casual dining setting with a range of live entertainment and music”.

“With the introduction of The Point, they won’t need to leave the area to enjoy great food, activities for the kids and experience live entertainment all in the one place.”

The courtyard is already equipped with outdoor seating and two large screens and is serviced by local brands like Fricken Chicken, Phat Panda and Biteful Kebabs, with Brodburger to open soon too. A mezzanine beer garden is also on the way.

Alcohol and nails are a common combination in other cities, but Prosecco Nail Bar presumably won’t be able to offer a glass until after July 2024 when changes to the ACT’s liquor licence laws come through.

The ACT Government is making changes to the Liquor Act 2010 in a bid to encourage more nightlife.

From 1 January, this has meant reducing the cost of the licence for small restaurants or cafes by as much as 80 per cent for those serving 20 to 30 people or less, and 50 per cent for those serving 80 people or less. The latter can also serve past midnight until 2 am at no extra cost.

From July 2024, more changes will follow, including one that allows the minister to grant licence exemptions to certain businesses.

“Subject to the passage of legislation in 2024, this will include nail salons, beauty salons, and raffles and lotteries for charitable fundraising,” the spokesperson said.

“These businesses would also be subject to conditions similar to those that currently apply to exempt businesses.”

At the moment, only florists, gift makers and hairdressing salons can serve alcohol alongside their offerings “because the supply of liquor is secondary to the primary purpose of the business and the considered risk is low”.

South.Point Tuggeranong was contacted for comment.

Original Article published by James Coleman on Riotact.