Nail salons oppose ‘letter grade’ proposal

Nail salons have protested against the proposal of assigning them letter grades just like restaurants.

During the first public hearing on the plan, on Friday at City Hall, Donald Yu, chairman of the Korean-American Nail Salon Association of New York, warned that by bringing the letter-grade system to beauty and nail salons will have a very bad impact. He said that it would put additional economic hardship onto the nail salons.

Yu's group represents about 2,000 salons in the five boroughs, Westchester and Long Island. He said that his members wouldn't oppose new safety measures, such as better ventilation systems and a ban on potentially harmful chemicals.

He argued that the letter grades would be encouraging inspectors to hand out more fines and endanger already-struggling mom-and-pop shops.

On the other hand, Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. has predicted a boon for the industry, dominated by women and immigrants.

At a City Council hearing, while pointing to the experience of restaurant owners who had initially opposed the grading system but have come to embrace it, Diaz said that in the long term, it is going to be a good thing.

He said that establishments have appreciated that system, as it has distinguished them from the establishments that are not doing good.

Around 90% of the city's restaurants are rated 'A'.

Implementation of the letter grades for salons would be requiring the state to pass a law giving the city authority not only to issue them, but also to enforce state health and safety regulations.

At present, 'Appearance-enhancement establishments', including salons, spas and barber shops are regulated by the state Department of State, which has 27 inspectors, who are covering over 5,000 businesses statewide, including 2,000 in New York City.