'Vanity Bar' in Brooklyn receives $2,000 grant, business continues to face pandemic effects

Vanity Bar was supposed to open in 2018, but a fire delayed that. When they could finally recover from the fire, the pandemic hit.

News 12 Staff

Mar 10, 2021, 3:15 PM

Updated 1,364 days ago

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Two Brooklyn men opened a unique nail salon during the coronavirus pandemic and although they faced some challenges, they finally opened their doors. 
Best friends Patrick Celestin and Dave Gachelin say owning their own business was a dream that became reality, but not after they faced a few tough spots. 
Vanity Bar was supposed to open in 2018, but a fire delayed that. When they could finally recover from the fire, the pandemic hit. 
They finally opened in August of last year. Facebook, which committed $200 million to help struggling Black-owned businesses, awarded the nail salon a $2,000 grant. 
They say it was much needed since they had invested much of their own money and sacrificed time with their loved ones to make the business happen. 
Although they are still dealing with the effects of the pandemic, they are encouraging other small business owners to push forward.