Mani & Pedi Blooms in Our Spring Spotlight

If you’ve ever walked through the center of our village on a Wednesday through Saturday, chances are, you noticed the bright nail salon, bustling with business. When you open the door and step inside Mani & Pedi, you’ll be greeted by the kindest, most endearing woman, named Won Park. She will welcome you in with a warm smile and gentle grace that hides all the hard work and long hours that she and her staff put in to make Mani & Pedi such a beloved treasure in our village.

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Mani & Pedi first opened in 2010, but Won’s story goes back much further. In 1980, she and her husband got married in Korea, and a year later, they moved to the U.S. for her husband’s education. On a friend’s suggestion, she found work at a nail salon in New York City. She must’ve done so well at her job, because her boss nicknamed her “Wonder Woman,” and that is how her name “Won” came about. Then in 1986, she decided to open her own salon, located near Carnegie Hall, which became very successful. At the time, there were very few, Korean-owned salons, so Won was truly breaking new ground. As current patron Judy Epstein said, “For someone to immigrate to this country and become a successful entrepreneur when English is not your native language — it just shows how amazing she is.”

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In 1988, Won gave birth to a baby girl, and the family moved from Woodside, Queens to Harrington Park, NJ. They soon discovered Piermont, and would always come and visit, falling in love with our village and the pier. Then in 2010, when Won and her daughter came here for lunch, they found an empty space across from M&T Bank, and Won saw the opportunity to open Mani & Pedi. A year later the salon moved to its current location in the middle of our village.

When asked why Piermont, here are Won’s words: “Piermont is very special. Even though I come here every day, I never get sick of it. I feel very lucky that God gave me this gift. When I had my shop in NYC, it was different. City people are not like Piermont people. Everybody knows everybody here, and people are nice. Barbara, who lives down the street, brings me flowers from her home garden every week. The people here are my friends.”

It is a reflection of Won’s kindness that she receives such generosity in return. In addition to local friends, she has a tight-knit group of women who have been working for her, some for as long as 10 years, an indication of their dedication to her. And then there are the numerous loyal clients who come on a regular basis, such that Mani & Pedi is busy year-round (even during the winter months) and runs 100% on appointments. One patron, Allison A., said, “I’ve been coming here from the beginning, 14 years ago, and it’s the best nail salon in Rockland County.”

In addition to offering manicures and pedicures, Mani & Pedi also offers waxing and massage services. They make their own, all-natural scrub with coffee, sugar, and lotion, which they use to soften and moisturize rough hands and feet. What makes the experience here such a treat is all the diligence, high quality, and constant cleaning that go on behind the scenes. Won herself puts in 12 hours a day, arriving an hour before her staff come and staying an hour afterward to make sure everything is up to her standards and ready for the next day. They all work incredibly hard, but they make it seem effortless, because the service is delivered with kindness, grace, modesty, and care. As Allison A. said, “They take their time and give such attention to detail — you get the full experience. They treat you like gold!” Make an appointment at Mani & Pedi, and let yourself be taken care of by the most endearing group of hardworking women.

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By Shauna Wennerod

Local Spotlight — Mani & Pedi

By Piermont Public Library

Local Spotlight — Mani & Pedi

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