A family-owned beauty staple is continuing its rapid New York City expansion. Universal Threading and Waxing is set to open its fifth location by the end of next week at 2123 Frederick Douglass Blvd. in West Harlem. The upcoming salon marks the business’s first foray into Manhattan, following a remarkable growth trajectory that began just three years ago in Brooklyn.
The story behind Universal Threading and Waxing is one of hard work and family collaboration. Founder Archana Kumari spent over 15 years in the beauty industry — specializing in threading, waxing, facials, and henna — before taking the leap to open her first salon.
“She started as the only worker in her first salon and worked seven days a week building a good clientele in the neighborhood,” says her daughter and co-owner, Khushboou Singha, a student who helps manage the business. “Luckily, with the success of the first salon, she was able to open three more salons across NYC. She is currently opening her fifth salon in Manhattan now. We are a small, family-owned business run by immigrants.”
Singha and Kumari work hand-in-hand on everything from salon design and service menus to marketing and daily operations. A core tenet of the company’s mission is maintaining affordability without sacrificing quality.
“The key to success for her has been charging very fair prices for the services,” Singha told What Now New York. “I like to say our prices are from five to 10 years ago. We even have seasonal sales on top of the already low prices! The affordability has allowed us to build loyal clients, especially in this economy.”
Alongside budget-friendly rates, the owners place a heavy emphasis on strict hygiene, sanitation, and personalized client experiences. The salon’s top offerings include body waxing, facials, eyelash lamination, and eyelash application.
For the Manhattan debut, the duo is leaning into a brand-new aesthetic. The West Harlem space is undergoing a massive top-to-bottom renovation, including brand-new flooring, ceilings, walls, updated electrical for custom lighting, and new water and AC lines.
“The vision for the new salon is to provide a luxurious salon experience for an affordable price,” Singha noted. “We have changed the aesthetic and design of this salon to match the city vibe. We did go a little crazy and did extra designs. We are super excited to see our vision come to life!”
The team is eager to plant roots in the neighborhood and connect with the local community. “We love how diverse the area is in terms of race, age, and culture,” Singha says. “We have already met our neighbors and they have been lovely. We cannot wait to provide them with our services and make them a part of our growing family.”
