The Shoppes at Woods Tavern at Amwell Road and Route 206 in Hillsborough — Courtesy: Larken Associates
By Joshua Burd
A family-owned nail salon has reopened in Hillsborough, finding a new home at a busy intersection at a commercial property owned by Larken Associates.
The operator, Topline Nails, occupies 1,200 square feet at The Shoppes at Woods Tavern under a lease announced Thursday by the real estate firm. That marks the return of what Larken said was a beloved local business that has served the Hillsborough community for more than three decades before a fire in January 2026 forced its temporary closure, prompting the move from a nearby location to its new home at the corner of Amwell Road and Route 206.
The salon will hold a grand opening and ribbon cutting on Monday, Aug. 3.
“Our mother poured her heart into Topline Nails for over 30 years and built the business into a cornerstone of the local community,” owner Truc Luu said. “Reopening at The Shoppes at Woods Tavern lets us honor everything she’s accomplished while giving our clients a fresh new space to enjoy for years to come. We are eternally grateful for all the support we’ve received and excited to reopen and continue serving the community.”
Operated by Lisa Nguyen for more than 32 years, Topline Nails previously occupied a space at 256 Route 206 until the blaze destroyed the salon and everything inside, forcing it to close indefinitely, according to a news release. Moved by an outpouring of support from clients and the surrounding community, Nguyen’s daughters, Luu and Tram Thompson, formed Topline Nails Hillsborough LLC to carry on the business their mother built.
The new salon will be centered around the warm, family-oriented atmosphere clients have known for decades, with a continued focus on comfort and quality service, the news release said.
“Hillsborough has always been our home, and we’re eager to start this next chapter at The Shoppes at Woods Tavern,” Thompson said. “Our family could not be more appreciative of all the support we’ve received from clients and the community. We can’t wait to open our doors and pick up where we left off.”
The property is a two-building, 31,299-square-foot office and retail center in Hillsborough’s main business district, Larken said. The highly visible center, located just nine miles north of downtown Princeton and seven miles south of the Somerville Circle, is also home to The Offices at Woods Tavern, a collection of second-floor, built-to-suit office suites ranging from 241 to 801 square feet.
“As a fellow family-owned business, Larken has deep respect and admiration for Topline Nails and what the Nguyen family has built,” said Rob Marek, executive vice president of Larken Associates’ commercial division. “It is a privilege to help them remain a central part of the Hillsborough community after all they’ve been through, and we’re excited to see them thrive at their new location.”
