Aquarius Beauty Parlor Operation Statements

This post features two key correspondences related to the lease renewal of the Aquarius Beauty Parlor. The first is a formal response from the tenant, Betty Harroch, addressing the lease proposal put forth by the Board. The second, issued by the Aquarius Condominium Association Board of Directors, details the Board’s efforts to negotiate a new lease agreement. Each document is accompanied by a concise abstract for readers seeking a summary of the content.

__________________________________________________

April 30, 2025         Betty Harroch 

Dear Board Members,

I am writing in response to your recent email concerning the rental of the hair salon to a Canadian Company.

First and foremost, I must express my disappointment regarding the accusation that I kept the salon in an unsanitary condition. This is not only untrue but also a personal attack and defamation of character which is illegal. The salon was delivered to me in poor condition, with torn, dirty chairs (which I replaced), stained and damaged countertops ( which I covered with heavy duty material) and old, discolored counters near the sinks  that were impossible to restore due to age and wear. Despite these challenges, I ensured the salon was swept and mopped daily, and once a month I hired a professional cleaner for deep cleaning.

Additionally, I was always careful not to bring food into the salon to avoid attracting pests. To label the space a health risk or liability to the community is both unjustified and unfounded.

I also want to address an ongoing financial matter,  My original lease stated that electricity was included in my rent. Yet, for the past several years, I received monthly charges from the office averaging $200 a month which I continued to pay despite the terms of the original lease agreement.

While I understand and respect your right to rent the salon to whomever you choose, it is clear that your decision had already been made prior to any open discussion.  I would like to state for the record that I offered $1000 per month in rent along with a full renovation, not a partial one.  I was never given the opportunity to counter the other offer for a new floor.

Furthermore, I made genuine efforts to enhance the services in the salon.  I attempted to bring in an esthetician, but she was declined due to her inability to meet the increased rent you requested despite my personal appeal to allow her a few months to build a clientele, especially as a single mother with no  current income.  I also brought in two different nail technicians to work Fridays. After being told they needed their own insurance, they both promptly obtained it. Unfortunately, due to low demand, they both were unable to continue.

Lastly, as is standard practice in this industry, the salons operate strictly by appointments. Living in the building, I have never refused service to anyone in the building.

I hope this clarifies the reality of the situation and offers a more accurate representation of my time managing the salon.  I have always operated with professionalism and integrity, and I’m disappointed by the mischaracterization I received in your email/letter.

Sincerely,

Betty Harroch 

Here’s a concise abstract of Betty’s message:
The current lessee of the beauty salon responds to the Board’s email regarding the rental decision, expressing disappointment over accusations of unsanitary conditions, which they claim are false and defamatory. They describe the initial poor condition of the salon and their consistent efforts to maintain cleanliness.
Additionally, the lessee raises concerns about unexpected electricity charges that contradict their original lease terms. They argue that the Board had already decided on the new tenant before open discussion and state that their proposal included a full renovation, not a partial one.
The response also highlights their efforts to expand services, including attempts to hire an esthetician and nail technicians, which were hindered by financial constraints and low demand. Finally, they affirm that salon services are appointment-based and that they have always operated professionally and with integrity.

__________________________________________

Wednesday, April 30, 2025    Board of Directors of Aquarius Condo. Ass. 

Dear Aquarius Unit Owners, 

Some individuals from prior Boards have raised concerns that the current Board is not seeking input from the unit owners. There are many committees in which unit owners actively participate at this time. After the Board Elections, an email was circulated requesting individuals to contact the management office if they are interested to participate. However, we do understand that this is our collective home, and we want to ensure that every owner has a chance to understand and question any decisions that are made. 

The beauty salon contract expired in March 2025 at which point the current lessee signed a two-month agreement ending on May 31, 2025, while the considerations of the future of the salon occur. 

During the April 4, 2025, Board meeting, the beauty salon contract was raised for discussion. As of the date of this email, no contract has been signed. 

The current lessee was given the opportunity to negotiate first. However, upon initial discussion, the lessee stated that they only service a handful of residents and could not afford more than $350/month for rent. 

The Board has a duty to ensure that we get the best value both financially and via amenities which benefit the entire community (rather than just a handful of individuals). As such, we began the search for new potential lessees in order to determine what value we could get from this space. 

At this time, the Board has a proposal from a Florida Licensed Cosmetologist with over 30 years experience  and 16 years experience owning a salon in Canada. Since they have moved to Florida they are looking to operate a salon in the area. The proposal includes a starting rent of $1200/month with $50 annual increase, a full renovation of the space at the lessee’s own expense (mood photos attached) and a 5 year contract with a 5 year extension option. The final salon design will be shared with the Board for approval before any renovation begins. They are offering a wide range of services including hair cuts, color, blowouts, extensions, manicure, pedicure, massage & facials. They will also offer special promotions to the community. The hours will be approximately from 10am to 8pm to allow for individuals to have flexibility in scheduling. Finally, they are willing to offer the current salon tenant the ability to rent a chair, for a reasonable price, so she can continue to service the individuals in the community that prefer her services.

The current lessee has since come back to the Board with a new offer which is a 3-year lease at $1000 per month and no extension. They are offering to do a minor renovation but would not change the floors or the fixtures. At this time only hair services are available, and hours of operation are by appointment only. 

The community should also be made aware of the following. Upon inspection of the current state of the salon it was visible that the space had been neglected and lacked regular cleaning. This poses both a health risk and potential liability to the community. Also, the lessee breached their contract twice by subleasing the space both in 2022 and 2024 without first informing the Board. In both instances, the Board tried to work with lessee to accommodate the sublease. However, the Board required that the proper contractual agreement be put in place and insurance documentation for the vendor shared. In both cases, the lessee opted instead to remove the sublessee from the premises. 

Finally, the original beauty salon contract was a one-year lease term ending on March 2022. Two months prior to the lease end date, on January 17, 2022, Mr. Gupta (the Board President) signed a lease extension addendum for three years at $200/month. This was signed one day prior to the Board Elections held on January 18, 2022. The approval of the extension should have been brought to a Board meeting for discussion and the community made aware of the decision-making process. According to the Association records this did not occur prior to January 17, 2022. Please download the attachment included with this message. 

Please contact the Board directly with any questions, comments or concerns.

Sincerely,

Aquarius Condominium Association, Inc.

Board of Directors

Here’s a concise abstract of the Board Message:

The Aquarius Board recognizes concerns about transparency and community involvement in decision-making. While unit owners actively participate in committees, the Board aims to ensure open dialogue. The beauty salon contract expired in March 2025, leading to a temporary agreement while future lease options were considered.
During the April 4 Board meeting, discussions began about lease proposals. The existing lessee initially offered $350/month but later revised their proposal to a 3-year lease at $1000/month with minor renovations and limited services. Meanwhile, a Florida Licensed Cosmetologist proposed a 5-year lease at $1200/month with extensive renovations, expanded services, and promotional offers for the community.
The Board seeks to maximize value for the residents, considering both financial benefits and service offerings. Inspections revealed maintenance concerns and prior contract breaches by the current lessee. Additionally, a previous lease extension signed by the former Board President raised transparency issues. The Board remains committed to making an informed decision while keeping the community engaged.
Let me know if you’d like any refinements

.o0o.