A beloved local fixture is making a triumphant return. Larken Associates announced Thursday that it has secured a 1,200-square-foot retail lease with Topline Nails Hillsborough LLC at The Shoppes at Woods Tavern, located at the high-visibility corner of Amwell Road and Route 206.
The lease marks a fresh start for the family-owned salon, which served the Hillsborough community for more than 32 years before a devastating fire in January 2026 destroyed its former location at 256 Route 206 and forced its temporary closure.
Fueled by an outpouring of community support, founders Lisa Nguyen’s daughters—Truc Luu and Tram Thompson—formed Topline Nails Hillsborough LLC to resurrect and carry on their mother’s decades-long legacy. The new salon will officially cut the ribbon on its grand opening on Aug. 3.
For over three decades, Topline Nails operated as a cornerstone of the local community, built on personal connections, comfort, and quality care. When the January fire wiped out the business and everything inside it, the family questioned their next steps. However, customer encouragement inspired the next generation to step forward.
“Our mother poured her heart into Topline Nails for over 30 years and built the business into a cornerstone of the local community,” 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.”
Tram Thompson echoed that sentiment, adding, “Hillsborough has always been our home, and we’re eager to start this next chapter at The Shoppes at Woods Tavern. 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 Shoppes at Woods Tavern is a 31,299-square-foot, two-building retail and office center situated in the heart of Hillsborough’s downtown business district. Located just nine miles north of Princeton and seven miles south of the Somerville Circle, the fully leased retail property offers strong foot traffic and exceptional visibility.
Rob Marek, Executive Vice President of Larken Associates’ Commercial Division, expressed pride in welcoming the salon to the property portfolio.
“As a fellow family-owned business, Larken has deep respect and admiration for Topline Nails and what the Nguyen family has built,” Marek said. “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.”
