People, Places and Things: The Polished Nail

She’s the girlie version of a guy’s bartender. 

Downers Grove resident Kris Pedersen has been listening to life stories, commiserating with personal traumas and sharing in great news for the last twenty-five years. But instead of listening while plopping down a whiskey and soda, she’s doing so while trimming, soaking, filing, and polishing as the owner of , one of the longest existing businesses in downtown Downers Grove.

Pedersen and a friend opened The Polished Nail on August 4, 1986, in a shop above Hair Studio One on Forest Avenue.  After two years, they outgrew the space and moved to the current location at 937 Curtiss Street, which Pedersen believes was formerly an eye doctor’s office.  The new site, she said, was larger, more visible and had more convenient parking across the street.

“Women could park and fly in and get their nails done,” she said.

Through the years, as spas and boutique operations continue to pop up all over, Pedersen has kept her business focused. She offers manicures, pedicures and acrylic nails, which she does well. 

“I’ve picked up the menu at different salons and they offer so many services," she said. "No one can do all of those to perfection. So I think you should do what you do well, and be consistent, and do a good job,” she said. “We offer a nice service and the quality of our work is really good.” 

Pedersen said her business has slowed down the past couple of years due to the economy.

“I used to have six full-time girls," she said. "I now have three including myself. Sometimes people cut back on their frequency. Manicures and pedicures may be stretched out a little bit.” She added that business seems to be getting a bit better as women are reluctant to forego pretty hands and feet.

Pedersen said that she has a diverse customer-base with women of different ages throughout the west suburban area.  Her oldest client is a 96-year-old woman who comes in regularly with her daughter. A common thread running through her customer base seems to be loyalty.  Pedersen estimates that more than two dozen customers have been with her throughout her entire 25 years in business.  She now finds herself doing bridal manicures on the daughters of original clients. 

Pedersen said she feels that she can attribute her longevity in part to her genuine affection and commitment for her clients.

“I am like a bartender. When I talk with my clients, they can tell me whatever it is they want me to hear. I only hear their side of a story and so I’m going to be compassionate,” she said.

Pedersen said she loves her job, which most of the time feels more like hanging out with friends than it does work.

“My friends come and visit me and I happen to be doing their nails," she said. "We’re all like one big family. My clients have sat next to each other for years. It’s been awesome."