if only i did not bite my nails.
January 19th, 2010
A mere 7/10 of a mile from my home rests a small shopping area. Watchung Plaza. Named no doubt after a New Jersey based Native American tribe. For the past 25 years, Eileen and I have lived in walking distance (693 steps as the pedometer counted it yesterday) and in fact, when we moved from our first Montclair home to our second and current, an important criterion was to remain within 800 steps of the Plaza – give or take 100.
I just learned moments ago that the Plaza (or as Ben called it when he was little, the Klaza) has its own website. www.watchungplaza.com. But don’t rush there. It is still under construction and either they haven’t updated since the week before the last Halloween parade or they are really trying to get out in front this year.
Or maybe things are just busier than usual what with the new nail salon and all.
ARTEK opened recently, replacing the business offering financial advice that lasted a couple of weeks in that spot (not exactly a ringing endorsement for their services).
When I thought about the perfect retail outlet for the Klaza and something worth my 692 steps, I will confess. I did not think nail salon. Perhaps it is because I bite my nails. I have bitten my nails for as long as I have had nails. I haven’t ever even really tried to stop. I always worried I would replace this habit with something more hazardous to my health. I will futher admit that I don’t just bite them. People look at my nails and cringe. I’m not proud. I’m just sayin.
But no. I don’t think that’s why. I think I wasn’t thinking nail salon because that base is already covered at Watchung Plaza.
I used to call the Plaza the Noah’s Arc of shopping areas. There has, for as long as I can remember, been two of everything (except Mr. Dino’s Pizzeria which stands alone – as it should). Two dry cleaners, two deli’s, two places to get your haircut, couple of banks.
But things are officially out of hand now. Eileen and I went for a walk yesterday (did I mention that I have a pedometer app on my iPhone?) and if you were at the Plaza yesterday around 9:30, I was the chick in the sweat pants taking pictures of all the nail salons.
In no particular order, here are photos of all the places you can get your nails done at Watchung Plaza.
This is The Beauty Connection. For many years, I thought it was a front. No one ever seemed to go in or out. Now I realize that it’s because they sell the super expensive shampoos and conditioners that my daughter Kit has to have. And they do nails.
This is Kit’s spot of choice. Looks like she can have her nails done while I have the dent in the side of my Honda Pilot banged out. Admittedly an odd combination. And it’s right next door to the nice guy who sells every imaginable vacuum cleaner bag. I’ve been going there for years. I still buy the wrong size bag.
Prior to ARTEK, this was the newest entry to the Plaza. La Belle Vie Spa. Right next to the Christian Science Reading Room (also a new entry) (we pride ourselves on our commitment to diversity here in Montclair). I had to peer into the window of this one and I will admit. I had to assume they did nails. Why shouldn’t they? It’s Watchung Plaza after all.
And yes, that is me in the picture. Chick in sweat pants with iPhone energetically taking pix of nail salons.
But of all the nail salons, this is my favorite.
I call this place Sushi Nails. I’m still stinging about this. When it was under construction, I thought – Yippee, a second sushi place within steps (you know how many) of my home. And then it opened.
A nail salon. I felt betrayed. Angry. Not vengeful. I really have nothing against people who get their nails done. With the possible exception of my 15 year old and 20 year old daughter who use our hard-earned money to get theirs done.
So make no mistake. I wish all these establishments only success. I love Watchung Plaza. My kids have grown up there. We have frequent flyer miles at Dino’s and Sunrise Bagels. The folks at Reliable Cleaners notice when I buy something new. Watchung Booksellers has been my favorite bookstore ever since it was in that great upstairs location. And the guys at American Hardware never roll their eyes at me. Ever.
I wish ARTEK Nail Salon the best of luck. For that matter, I wish them all the best of luck. I’m all about the success of my local businesses here in town.
And while I take the more economical route when it comes to manicures, I suppose there is always the pedicure option. Maybe that would be nice. I do like reflexology. Is it like that? No? Oh, they try to make your feet LOOK nice?
Forget it.