Crave Nail Spa Offers 'Completely Different Experience' in New Tampa

Looking to pamper yourself with a mani/pedi but worry about harsh chemicals that nail salons typically use?

Then Crave Nail Spa might be the place for you. The salon, which opened at 17502 Preserve Walk Lane on June 27, provides toxin-free, sanitation-rich services and treatments.

“Walking into Crave is a completely different experience, from the scent of essential oils to the comfy, suede chairs,” said Joezette Hite, who owns the business with her husband, Brad Hite. “Crave prides itself on setting a different standard in the nail industry.”

Joezette opened the first Crave Nail Spa in South Tampa nearly three years ago.

“We specialize in natural nails and keep up with all the latest trends, including shellac/gel nails, nail art and much more,” Joezette said. “…In addition, sanitation is at the utmost importance.”

Instead of whirlpool footbaths, which can harbor bacteria, Crave uses fresh bowls with disposable liners that are brought directly to clients.

Most tools are disposable and are only used once. Any metal tools go through a 3-step sanitation process, including a medical grade heat sterilizer, to ensure no infections are spread among clients.

Joezette got the idea for the business while she was a pharmaceutical sales rep pregnant with her first son, Colin, now 5. When she visited nail salons to comfort her swollen feet, her heightened sense of smell left her with headaches from the products.

“You’re exposing yourself to all sorts of chemicals,” she said.

Some nail polish brands have toxins like toluene, formaldehyde resin and dibutyl phthalate (DBP). Joezette wanted to create a place where people wouldn’t have to worry about these types of chemicals or any cross contamination from bacteria.

“That’s how Crave was born,” she said.

The salon uses toxin-free polish brands OPI, Essie and Zoya, as well as Piggy Paint for kids. It also uses sugar scrubs made in-house and incorporates natural, essential oils into its own private-label creams and lotions. Many of the scrubs are offered seasonally, like apple pie for back-to-school or pumpkin for Halloween. Currently, the salon is offering a coconut-inspired piña colada scrub for summer.

The business has become popular in South Tampa, Joezette said, and has been recognized by local and national publications.

“Our clients were very persistent with persuading us to open another salon,” she said.

So, they checked out other areas. After visiting the Fresh Market at The Shops at Wiregrass and seeing the continuing business growth in the area, Joezette said they decided New Tampa would be a good fit.

“In South Tampa, a lot of businesswomen come in during their lunch breaks,” she said. With the businesses in New Tampa and the companies planning to expand to the area, “this would be a great appeal to them, too.”

The salon was also created with moms in mind. In addition to Colin, Joezette is now mother to Evan, 3, and Colette, 4 weeks.

“We don’t have typical massage chairs,” she said. “I created the extra large chairs in case you bring a child with you.”

Manicures and pedicures are all done in the same chair.

“Prices are right on the same price point as other places,” Joezette said.

Walk-ins are welcome, but Joezette recommended customers make appointments on the weekends, especially on Mani Mimosa Sundays when the spa offers free mimosas.

Renée Sheehan, of Hunter’s Green, stopped into Crave for the first time Tuesday “just to try something different.” She chose a mani/pedi, and Sarah McWilliams, full specialist, got to work.

“Sarah was adorable and a perfectionist with both my manicure and pedicure,” Sheehan said. “The experience was very professional and personable, and we chatted the entire visit. Normally, I do not talk much at other salons as many of the techs are a bit hard to understand… But today was refreshingly different.”

For more information about the salon, visit Crave Nail Spa online or on Facebook, or call 813-972-8150.