Malden is well known for its diversity, history, transportation, and its many restaurants. However, there was something missing that could cater to the community: a beauty store that would have all the necessary products needed for self-care. On April 17th, the grand opening of Ronori brought uniqueness to Malden’s community. The beauty store is filled with trending South Korean and Japanese makeup, hair products, skincare, and cute accessories for everyone to try out.
Ronori was created by Ron Nguyen, who is originally from Vietnam, and his wife, Tisha Changmai, who is from Thailand. After living in Malden for 10 years, they felt that the city was missing this type of store and decided that’s what they wanted to do. Changmai recalled her time as a student in Thailand when she would go shopping with her friends, checking out new items, and wanted to be able to bring those memories back.
What’s great about Ronori’s location is that it is near the Malden Center T-station, which gives easy accessibility. “I want [it] to be a place that people can experience it, like students and working women, who just get off work and on the way home, they can check it out,” Changmai said. Although more people buy things online nowadays, having an in-person store allows customers to physically see the product and test it out themselves.
The name Ronori, is named after one of the owners “Ron”, who told his wife that he wanted his name on it. “Nori” is the Japanese word for seaweed, but it can also mean happiness.
Before the couple came up with the idea to open an Asian beauty store, they had many other ideas. “I feel like Malden, we have so many Asians and restaurants, food, boba tea, stuff like that, and we’re still missing the place for shopping, so that’s why my husband decided to say ‘let’s do it,’” stated Changmai.
The building before this was a dance studio. “We spent two months, but for the original plan, we planned only one month to build this up,” Changmai mentioned. They also had to build almost everything themselves, even the shelves.
What’s good about everything is that it is based on Changmai experience with these many items. Not only do they want to just buy and sell things but, they strive to ensure that their products are high quality and worthwhile. Ronori’s products are affordable, making it more convenient for customers, especially young students, to buy the products at a fair price. Changmai added, “We don’t want to make [it] overpriced because a lot of retail stores try to,” price it expensively.
As of right now, they plan on expanding the business, but their main focus is getting enough customers to buy the items. In the future, they plan to sell food and snacks so students can buy food right after school. Since Ronori opened, they’ve been asking customers for feedback.
Sophomore Gesselle Rodriguez Portillo discovered Ronori’s opening through a friend. She was interested and wanted to check it out. “I’m glad this store was newly opened in Malden because I’m able to access these types of brands closer to home rather than having to go out to somewhere like Boston,” said Rodriguez Portillo. One of her favorite products is the Dasique Pure Water lipgloss and “would highly recommend it to anyone as it provides shinier and soft lips!”
“I would highly recommend Ronori Beauty to others since it has many notable brands that people love that range from makeup, skin care, and hair products.” Rodriguez Portillo emphasized how the store is neatly organized and how everything is easy to find, creating a clean environment for everyone.
Junior Rosalyn Ruan, who had heard about Ronori’s opening, was glad “it sells Asian beauty products” because she doesn’t see many selling them in Malden. She enjoys the Roundlab oil cleanser and would recommend it because it helps clean the skin and removes makeup easily.
Ruan believes “Asian beauty products have been trending” and encourages others to try out Ronori, “while supporting a local business.”
A brand that Changmai recommends is Dr. G, noting that “not many people know about Dr G,” but since she’s been using it for two months, she felt that “it’s worked for [her] very well.” Interested in this new beauty store? Check out Ronori on 70 Summer Street.
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