Relax and Renew in Downtown Calais

By Kaileigh Deacon

Just down the street from where Village Variety and the Calais Bookshop are is a little piece of the big city on Main Street. Renew Hands + Feet Nail Salon opened three weekends ago on and has made a wonderful addition to the community. 

Once you get passed the boards up over the windows while the building undergoes work, you step into a small shop that looks like it would be at home in downtown Boston. The clean, inviting atmosphere is perfect for helping you relax. 

Inside, owner David Strout will indulge you in a wonderful manicure, pedicure, and enhancements on the hands. For polish, he uses shellac and traditional polish. Before you start your manicure or pedicure you can help yourself to a complimentary cup of coffee or tea to enjoy.

“It’s a place to relax rather than just a place to go in and out and not build a relationship with your technicians and at your nail salon. I want it to be comfortable. I sterilize all my metal tools and whatever isn’t metal I throw away,” Strout says. 

Around the shop are pieces of furniture that Strout and his family built specifically for the shop which add to the charming character of the salon.

Strout takes reservations for appointments but also welcomes walk-ins. Strout has a link on his Facebook page that allows you to book your appointment online rather than making a phone call. Renew Hands + Feet is open Monday through Friday from 11am to 7pm and Saturday from 9am to 5pm.  If you can’t make it one of these times Strout is willing to make exceptions by phone call request. 

When Strout created his salon he wanted to create the feel and quality of a high end salon but with a price that will allow you to indulge yourself without going broke. 

“Feeling great starts with pampering yourself and treating yourself and what’s a better small pamper to try out than getting your nails done. It’s not a huge commitment, you’re in and out, and what a better way to relax. No matter what service you have done you’re going to walk out feeling brand new.”

With Mother’s Day only a few months away or any other special occasion, you can pick up gift card at the shop for any amount. To get more information on the salon prices, hours or to read what other customers have said you can go to the Renew Hands + Feet Facebook page.