After my last article about the “West Englewood Diet,” I received emails and feedback from readers who really appreciated my mentioning of Donna’s VIP Nails in the story. Comments I got ran the gamut from “Best nail salon in Bergen County” to “They are the nicest people and I am glad that they are getting the recognition they deserve” and “My favorite place in the world.”
It seems an unlikely story for me to write about a nail salon. While I am not embarrassed to say, and I will admit publicly, that I have gotten a manicure and pedicure a few times in my life—and I did so at Donna’s VIP Nails on West Englewood Avenue—I can’t for one minute claim to have any real expertise or great knowledge about the topic.
And before you pass any judgment or get any ideas about me, there was no color or polish involved in my mani/pedi. So I turned to my wife, who I would consider a real professional, maybe even a connoisseur in the “nail salon field”—by experience (lots of it), only not by any special education or training.
I asked my wife why it is that Donna’s VIP Nails is so popular and able to attract this “cult-like” following that I received those emails about the place? Her response was, “Abe, there are five reasons why women chose a nail salon: price, service, convenience, comfort, and cleanliness. VIP Nails has all five and then some.” She explained how VIP is very reasonably priced and often has specials. She said that VIP has a very warm and comfortable feeling inside, the owner is a doll, and she hires nice and pleasant employees. They have massages, waxing, and easy parking. There are always appointments available; they store your colors, and they have a mikva special (which may be TMI—too much information for my column—so women can inquire about that special on their own).
Most of all, the place is kept very clean. If a place and its equipment are not kept clean and its tools not properly disinfected, people can get infections or even get sick (Google Nail Salon Horror Stories).VIP has the highest standards of cleanliness with licensed employees certified by the Health Department. (Some tips I found online are: If you don’t bring your own tools with you, make sure the salons have been properly disinfected, which means that they’ve been fully immersed in an EPA-approved disinfectant for at least 10 minutes. All disinfectants are required to be bactericidal, fungicidal, and veridical, and are usually—but not always—a clear blue color.)
Donna’s VIP Nails is open seven days a week and their hours are very convenient. The salon is located at 180 West Englewood Avenue, Teaneck. 201-833-4004.
By Abe Sussman
