South of the 6 was always an experience I wanted to curate in our little corner of the world. My first love was beauty, and after graduating from Central High in 2002, I attended school, got my esthetics license, and dove in. Within a few months of getting licensed, I realized there was a lot more to beauty than what was on the surface – and went off to college to join my peers in academia. Having spent almost 12 years in Canada (first Halifax, NS, then 6 years in Toronto), my 20s were an adventure in what was unique and memorable about life outside of poutine, cold winters, and adopting “eh” into my vocabulary.   

In Toronto, fashion was always forward: on the subway, on the streets, and in the workplace – no matter the industry or neighborhood. Like most major international cities, fashion wasn’t a closet full of clothes from a certain handful of stores – it was individuality. But, there were always “it” bags, “it” seasonal pieces, and “it” nail colors. Getting your nails done wasn’t necessarily a chore or a recurring item on your to-do list; it was, however, a bi-weekly [indulgent] excuse for a 5:00 social call with your bestie. Nail bars were on the rise in the city – clean air salons that were acrylic and e-file free, equipped with the coolest staff and trendy retail. Nail art was beginning to gain traction with the recent emergence of Instagram and Pinterest. However, manicures were still fairly straightforward, and the experience of visiting a nail bar superseded the service itself.

Fast forward to 2023, when the universe told me it was time to bring this unique, urban experience to little ol’ Manchester. Manchester was never a place I imagined returning to – but here I was with my Canadian husband and two young children in tow, ready to bring something entirely unexpected to life. The intersection and meeting of many roads brought me to our grand opening on October 4, 2023 – but as any small business owner will tell you, the people that get you to and over the starting line are often not the same people who run the marathon beside you.

In my first year of business, I didn’t anticipate the confusion my business model would present to potential customers and clients. The upscale nail salon concept was far easier to digest for the public than the shared space concept of a nail salon AND café. Paired with no street visibility and general consumer perplexion – the café became a liability under my brand. I made a difficult (scary!) decision to find a new owner-operator for the café, so I could focus my energy on growing and nurturing the salon. It took some time, but in the fall of 2024, I met my match. Two Moons café opened its doors in January of 2025, and all I can say is: witchy-vintage bookstore coffee shop. Salem meets Manchester at last! Nothing beats walking into the salon in the morning with the smell of freshly baked pastries and coffee wafting through the beams. The mill building beams, that is.      

South of the 6 is an upscale, non-toxic [fume-free] nail salon. Our polishes are vegan and HEMA-free – we use Dazzle Dry and Madam Glam, and have recently launched Gel-X. Gel extensions allow clients to choose from an array of lengths and shapes to enhance and elevate their look.

Perhaps more importantly, South of the 6 is an experience. An experience devoid of the assault of noxious odors and nail dust, terrible TV shows, conversations spoken around and over you often in unfamiliar tongues. An experience rich in social and emotional connection, in ambiance, in thoughtful add-ons (like neck warmers in winter, silent services after stressful days, or Mimosa bar carts for private bookings).  

     

We also love hosting little glamazons - we proudly offer little girl manis & pedis and encourage group bookings: complete with T Swift beats and sparkling juice in fancy glasses of course.