HINTON- Off the Rails Nails was born from a vision to bring something fresh, memorable, and a little unexpected to Hinton, West Virginia.
Off the Rails Nails is a place where guests can leave the stresses of everyday life behind and enjoy a fun, relaxing experience made especially for them.
Located inside the historic Tomkies & Sons Building (The Braswell House), a setting rich with character and community history, The name “Off the Rails” represents more than trains–it represents stepping away from the ordinary. It’s about creating a welcoming destination where you can relax, recharge, have fun, and feel beautiful.
With vintage-inspired style, hints of the 1920s, and a touch of railroad character, Off the Rails Nails blends historic charm with modern beauty and care. From nails and pedicures to spa services, every detail is being created with the goal of making each visit feel like a little escape.
Off the Rails Nails isn’t just a place to get your nails done–it’s a destination designed for personal attention, clean and classy comfort, and fair prices.
Off the Rails Nails is locally owned by Martha Braswell, the sole owner of the salon. Martha lives in Jumping Branch with her husband, Greg Braswell.
Together, their story is one of service, resilience, and finding home.
Martha was born in New York to Colombian parents who had recently immigrated to the United States in search of greater opportunities. After a violent attack threatened her father, the family made the difficult decision to leave New York and relocate to South Florida, where Martha grew up. Her life was shaped early by hard work, responsibility, and the importance of family and community.
College was never the path Martha envisioned for herself. Instead, she chose to serve her country and joined the U.S. Army. Her decision led her to serve during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm–building a foundation of discipline and service that would stay with her for
life.
After completing her military commitment, Martha returned home and took on a new role: raising her child as a single mother. She built a life centered on hard work and family responsibility.
Fifteen years later, Martha chose to return to military service. It was during this second chapter in the Army that she met Greg. Together, Martha and Greg shared experiences, a commitment to service, and very different backgrounds that brought them closer–eventually leading to marriage.
As they approached retirement, they began thinking about where they wanted to put down roots. Greg brought Martha–a city girl by birth–to his hometown of Hinton, West Virginia.
What Martha found there surprised her. She fell in love with Hinton’s mountains and rivers, the small-town character, welcoming people, and rich history. In many ways, the community reminded her of her own Colombian heritage–a place where history, family, and community still matter.
Together, Martha and Greg began looking beyond retirement. They saw something others might have overlooked: historic buildings that had been neglected, a downtown with a remarkable past, and a community with the potential for a renewed future. They didn’t just want to live in Hinton—they wanted to become part of its story.
That vision led them to a historic building The Braswell House. What began as a deteriorated historic property became a labor of love and a commitment to restoration. For Martha and Greg, restoring the building is about more than bricks, windows, floors, and walls. It’s about preserving a piece of Hinton’s history while creating something that can serve the community for
generations to come.
The Braswell House is their way of bringing together history, hospitality, small business, and community in a way that creates a new future without forgetting what made it meaningful in the first place. For Martha and Greg, this is more than a restoration project–it’s the next chapter of
their journey.
Off the Rails Nails was inspired, first and foremost, by God. Martha felt she was called to serve the Hinton community but wasn’t yet sure what that calling would look like. Through a series of unexpected events, meaningful conversations, and listening to the needs of the community, the vision slowly began to take shape.
What started as a desire to serve became the idea for a nail salon–a place where we could provide a needed service, build relationships, and create a welcoming space for people to connect. The name “Off the Rails” was suggested by a friend who shared in the vision of bringing a beautiful and classy nail salon to Hinton. As soon as she suggested it, I knew it was the right name.
Today, Off the Rails Nails represents a new chapter for a building with a long history. We are honoring what came before while creating something exciting for the future–one visit at a time.
Off the Rails Nails is a destination for relaxation, restoration, and feeling beautiful rooted in history, guided by faith, and built with love for the community located at 310 3rd Avenue, Hinton, West Virginia.
