Business Spotlight: M'Raj Nails

Personalized attention, expertise and comfort are the cornerstones of M’Raj Nails of Windham for those seeking quality work at affordable pricing.

Mary O'Donal owns and operates
M'Raj Nails in Windham and 
offers a relaxing atmosphere
and quality nail work at an
affordable price.
COURTESY PHOTO  

Owned and operated by Mary O’Donal at 123 Varney Mill Road in Windham, M’Raj Nails is devoted to cleanliness and providing its clients with a relaxing experience each time they visit. The salon's serene ambiance invites guests to unwind and indulge in a pampering experience like no other. Step inside and discover a world of creativity and skill where your nails are transformed into works of art.

“I am passionate about providing high-quality nail care services to my clients,” O’Donal said. “I am also a small business and strive to create a welcoming atmosphere where you can relax and enjoy some well-deserved pampering. My salon has a professional and relaxing atmosphere and I am always excited to meet with my clients.”

M’Raj Nails offers manicures, pedicures, dips, paraffin wax, hot stones, sculpting with acrylics and gels, all at an affordable cost.

Basic nail care includes cleaning and maintaining nail cuticles, shaping nails, and any necessary care for the skin and nail bed. Nails can be polished with an array of colors and different polish types. Nail tips can then be sculpted on the nail. A paraffin dip is a soothing treatment in which feet are submerged in a warm mixture of paraffin, with petroleum-based wax and mineral oil and is intended to moisturize and soften the feet.

“I do basic manis, pedis, acrylic, dip, hard gel, paraffin, hot stones, and use vegan and cruelty-free products,” O’Donal said. “I work from my salon primarily, but sometimes my clients are unable to come to me, so in some cases, I do go to my client. I do charge a fee, depending on the distance, and I also need to meet my client before going to their home.”

Nail art offered at M’Raj Nails is all about specialization, precision, and design, she said.

“I truly enjoy doing nail art,” O’Donal said. “I use only the best products and techniques to ensure that you leave feeling refreshed and rejuvenated,” O’Donal said.

According to O”Donal, her clients enjoy her friendly and one-on-one attention, where they can converse freely and are comfortable and able to relax in her salon.

“My pricing is very competitive if not lower than most of my competitors,” she said. “I run this business by myself, and I’m always working to improve on my skills, learning new skills and techniques, and striving to make every client feel seen, heard, and happy. I do try to create a calm, relaxing environment that allows for easy conversation. I strive to be detailed, and I listen to my clients’ needs. My clients that I do have usually say they come to me because it is a very calm environment, and I also do give them all the attention.”

She got into the nail business almost by accident.

“I found a nail design idea by accident that I liked and spent a few hours to achieve it myself,” O’Donal said. “When I had figured it out, I was kind of hooked and wanted to learn more techniques.”

From there she studied and completed a Spa Tech course and then opened the M’Raj Nails salon out of her home in 2017.

“I guarantee my gel and acrylics for two weeks,” O’Donal said. “I think my pricing is very fair and reasonable.”

O’Donal said that maintaining the exceptional cleanliness of her salon is a top priority with instrument sterilization and disinfectants used to eliminate harmful bacteria.

Quality work and connecting with her clients is important to O’Donal, who says she wants her clients to leave her salon happy and ready to show off their nails to the world. Communication is paramount to her business and many of her clients are so happy with her work that they refer their friends and family to M’Raj Nails.

She says some people may believe that M’Raj Nail is only for women, but it’s not true.

“I’ve created a relaxing experience here for both men and women,” she said. “It’s an enjoyable time for everyone.”

For more details about M’Raj Nails, call 207-749-9320, visit online at http://mrajnails.com/ or send an email to mrajnails@gmail.com. Complete services offered and pricing are available online. <

Business Spotlight: Salt Spa Wellness

As a genuine natural alternative, salt therapy has been around for centuries and used to relieve everything from respiratory and skin conditions to muscle recovery and mental wellness. Opening next week in Windham, Salt Spa Wellness offers a calming, restorative environment where guests can take a break from the demands of everyday life and focus on their well-being.

Salt Spa Wellness will open next week at 585 Roosevelt
Trail in Windham and will offer affordable holistic
services to help people feel better mentally, physically,
and emotionally. COURTESY PHOTO  

Owned and operated by the Mank Family at 585 Roosevelt Trail in Windham, the mission of Salt Spa Wellness is to help people feel better, mentally, physically, and emotionally, through affordable holistic services designed to relax the body, reset the mind, and support many forms of healing.

Specific services provided by Salt Spa Wellness will include:

• Float Therapy (in both single and double rooms) – a sensory deprivation experience in skin temperature, magnesium-rich water that promotes deep relaxation, pain relief, improved sleep, and mental clarity.

• Salt Therapy (Halotherapy) in both private and group settings – breathing in pure, dry salt air can help clear the respiratory system, reduce inflammation, and support skin health.

• Infrared Halosauna – a unique combination of dry salt therapy and infrared heat that helps detoxify the body, reduce stress, relieve pain, and boost circulation with optional red-light therapy and chromotherapy.

• Aqua Massage – a fully clothed massage experience using high-pressure water jets that deliver deep muscle relaxation without needing to get wet.

“Regardlesss of the clients goals, our services are designed to meet them where they are and help guide them toward a healthier, more balanced lifestyle.” said Kelly Mank, Salt Spa Wellness owner.

She said that the most significant aspect of Salt Spa Wellness is the intentional environment they’ve created, one that blends holistic wellness with personalized care in a spa-like setting.

“What truly sets us apart is how we bring multiple modalities together under one roof, allowing guests to create their own customized wellness experience, whether they’re coming for one service or combining several into a self-care day,” Mank said. “While other businesses may offer individual services like floating or salt rooms, few offer the full range of modalities we do, including Float Therapy, Halotherapy (Salt Room and Salt Cave), Infrared Halosauna, and Aqua Massage, in a thoughtfully designed space built specifically for rest, recovery, and healing.”

According to Mank, beyond the services themselves, what distinguishes Salt Spa Wellness is its philosophy.

“We focus on education, empowerment, and comfort,” she said. “For many of our guests, it’s their first time trying a salt therapy service, and we take pride in guiding them through the process, so they feel informed, supported, and completely at ease. Our space is clean, modern, and intentionally designed to help people unplug, breathe deeply, and feel better. Ultimately, our goal isn’t just to offer a service, it’s to help people reconnect with themselves, manage stress, support their physical and emotional health, and leave feeling better than when they arrived. That’s the heart of Salt Spa Wellness.”

Mank said that one of the biggest misconceptions about the business is that it’s just a luxury or “pampering” spa experience.

“While our space is beautiful and relaxing, what we offer goes much deeper, our services are grounded in wellness, recovery, and real therapeutic benefit,” she said. “Float therapy, halotherapy, and infrared sessions aren’t just for relaxation; they support mental health, pain relief, respiratory wellness, and more. Once people understand the science, and feel the difference themselves, they realize it’s not a splurge, it’s a form of self-care with lasting impact.”

Salt Spa Wellness Manager Kaila Mank says the business takes great pride in offering high-quality, evidence-based wellness services in a setting that’s peaceful, clean, and deeply restorative.

“Every element from our float tanks and halotherapy rooms to our infrared halosauna and aqua massage systems has been carefully selected to provide therapeutic benefits while ensuring maximum comfort and privacy for our guests,” she said. “We maintain the highest standards for cleanliness, sanitation, and equipment upkeep, and we’re committed to creating a calm, supportive environment where every guest feels welcome and cared for. Our team is passionate about helping people discover what wellness means for them, whether it’s managing stress, reducing pain, or simply finding time to relax. Many of our initial clients have shared that they’ve found relief from anxiety, improved sleep, reduced pain, and even faster recovery from injuries thanks to our services. Our goal is not just to provide a service and experience, it’s to provide healing, restoration, and a lasting sense of well-being.”

For further details about Salt Spa Wellness visit www.SaltSpaWellness.com to take advantage of their grand opening specials. Find them on Facebook and Instagram under SaltSpaWellness. <

Business Spotlight: Sweet Thai Restaurant

Sweet Thai Restaurant in Gorham truly delivers in the quality and authenticity of its food, service, and cleanliness, and continues to build a loyal following of people who appreciate flavorful meals inspired by a diversity of culinary traditions and influenced by various cultures of the Asian continent.

Sweet Thai Restaurant in Gorham is a family owned and
operated business which focuses on the quality of the
food it serves, personalized service and cleanliness.
COURTESY PHOTOS 

Located at 18 Elm St. in Gorham, the Sweet Thai Restaurant opened in May and offers comfortable dining and take-out orders which can be made online through a convenient website.

“My wife is from Southeast Asia, and it had been her dream to someday own her own restaurant,” said Kendall Libby, co-owner of Sweet Thai Restaurant. “We provide the most authentic Thai flavoring in Maine, which is all direct from Bangkok, Thailand.”

The restaurant offers tasty popular Thai favorites such as Fresh Spring Rolls with Shrimp, Pineapple Fried Rice, Mango Salad, Crispy Chicken Cashew, Crab Pad Thai, Beef Teriyaki, Crispy Duck, and Triple Delight, a combination of sauteed chicken, beef and roasted pork with fresh ginger, a cup of rice, and mixed vegetables in a ginger brown sauce.

But Sweet Thai also has plenty of innovative new dishes too, such as Khao Soi, a Northern Thai style curry noodle with flat egg noodles and braised chicken, red onion, pickled mustard greens topped with crispy egg noodle, lime and cilantro, and Kra Prao Moo Krob, which is Thai street food featuring crispy pork belly with authentic Thai style chili basil sauce, garlic, onion, red pepper, green bean, Thai holy basil and served with rice.

“What we focus on is providing the finest quality food and authentic flavorings and a clean restaurant,” Libby said. “We believe that a clean restaurant reflects a clean kitchen.”

Prices are kept affordable so everyone can enjoy a meal from Sweet Thai, he said.

“We have kept our prices comparable to other great Thai restaurants in Southern Maine,” Libby said. “Every meal is prepared and cooked individually from the highest quality food and in plentiful portions and cooked over our brand-new Chinese 3 Bay Wok which was ordered and shipped special for Sweet Thai’s grand opening.”

He said that Sweet Thai has a pleasant family atmosphere, with a beautiful décor expressing Southeast Asia at its finest. There’s also a kids’ menu for younger diners.

“Our guests will always find a clean dining area, spotless bathrooms, and a kitchen with the safest, cleanest equipment anywhere,” Libby said. “Wine, beer, and a great selection of mixed drinks will be available very soon. Our staff is friendly and fun. And they’re family, in fact, everyone helping at Sweet Thai is family.”

Parking is plentiful as the Sweet Thai Restaurant is located next door to Hannaford Supermarket in Gorham Village.

Reviews of Sweet Thai posted online are nothing less than exceptional.

“This was such a gem to find, and I will definitely be back! The service was amazing and very friendly, the waitress helping us decide between dishes. The food was very tasty and fair for the price of the portions. I would highly recommend!” Caitlyn T.

“Ordered take out for the first time. Online ordering was easy. The food was hot and packaged wonderfully. The food was so good! We loved the bang bang shrimp. My massaman curry was the perfect medium spice. The crispy chicken was lovely. The crab Rangoon are a classic crispy treat. We will definitely order again.” Sebastian C.

“Five stars and I wish there were more stars to give. I had Red Lime soda, Crab Rangoon, and vegetable mango rice. It was amazing. The veggies were not over-cooked. It was well balanced, and I would eat it again in a heartbeat. No crumb was spared.” Sandra J.

“I tried Sweet Thai for the first time this week, and it was by far the best Thai food I’ve had since moving to Maine. The food was fresh and absolutely delicious, and the staff were kind and attentive with excellent service. The restaurant was impeccably clean, and the atmosphere was bright and welcoming. If you are looking for incredible Thai food, this is the place for you!” Ariel L.

Restaurant hours are from 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Tuesdays to Saturdays, 3 to 8:30 p.m. Sundays, and it is closed on Mondays. Parking is plentiful as the Sweet Thai Restaurant is located next door to Hannaford Supermarket in Gorham Village.

For more details visit sweetthaimaine.com. There you can find the full menu and order online. Or to place an order call 207-222-0147 or 207-222-0164. Find them on Facebook and Instagram under Sweet Thai – Gorham Maine.<

Eagle Choice Award voting underway

For the 11th consecutive year, The Windham Eagle newspaper is sponsoring the Eagle Choice Awards, and the popularity of the annual competition remains stronger than ever.

Voting opened on June 29 and continues through Sunday, July 20 at midnight, with winners announced in the August 15, 2025 edition.

Launched in 2015, the Eagle Choice Awards recognizes local businesses in the area through popular vote. This distinction is evidence that residents do take notice when they receive outstanding service and find superior products offered by local merchants.

Melissa Carter, advertising director for The Windham Eagle, said that the awards established a new record last year by receiving nearly 10,000 ballots cast across 85 different categories, and she expects that number to rise again in 2025.

Two awards are presented in each category, gold for first place and silver for second. At times, if votes are within 10, a tie is called and two businesses are awarded for one category.

The awards are presented at a gathering at Erik's Church, which is scheduled for Aug. 14, 2025. Each winner is given a decal and plaque to display at their business or on vehicles, etc. to recognize their accomplishment.

“Now in it’s 11th year, the Eagle Choice Award has become a well-known symbol of business trust and top-notch customer service,” Carter said. “It is an honor to be able to recognize the many companies that pour their heart and souls into their businesses each year. The competition is tough and even for those businesses that are not awarded with gold or silver, we hope that they appreciate every vote they get. The exposure of even being listed on the ballot is a win for branding and name recognition.”

According to Kelly Mank, owner and publisher of The Windham Eagle newspaper, the Eagle Choice Awards are a great way for the public to learn about a business they may not be familiar with and to discover the very best services, food and products that are available in the community.

“The Eagle Choice Awards give the community trusted options and a unique way to connect residents and visitors here with area businesses in meaningful ways,” Mank said. “Best of all, every vote comes from the readers and is based upon how they feel about local businesses.”

Carter said a few new categories have been added and some from previous years have been updated. For 2025, there are a total of 93 categories.

Businesses in the updated categories have been split to better represent business services. Those include Auto Detailing and Car Wash into two separate categories, Aesthetics/Med Spa has been split into Facial and Med Spa, and Trash Services has been split into Junk Removal and Trash Services/Dumpster Rentals.

New categories this year are Burger, Dog Training, Interior Design/Home Staging, and Remediation.

While the newspaper does its best to keep current on adding new businesses and deleting those that are closed and including everyone, they welcome feedback to help improve ballot choices for the upcoming years by sending an email to: awards@thewindhameagle.com. Voters may also use the write-in option to nominate a business that is not already listed.

Eagle Choice Award voters must cast ballots in at least 10 categories or more and must also include their email address when uploading or turning in a ballot for it to be valid to ensure that only one vote is cast by an individual. Email addresses collected during the Eagle Choice Awards competition are not sold or distributed to a third party.

A paper ballot is available in The Windham Eagle newspaper’s print edition this week (see facing page 10). You can either mail in the physical ballot or take a picture and upload via email to: awards@thewindhameagle.com. The paper ballot must be received by us no later than Friday, July 18 to be counted.

The easiest and most popular way to vote is online at www.thewindhameagle.com/awards. <