Contempo Nail Salon

About this location

A few stories people tell about this place

1. At dawn, when most nail salons are closed, a delivery driver pulled up outside Contempo Nail Salon. The parking lot was empty, but he noticed a faint glow coming from under one of the doors. He opened the door cautiously and found an old lady with a toothbrush in her hand, painting her nails in front of a mirror. ‘Good morning!’ she chirped. ‘I’m Mrs. Kim, owner here. Thought you might like some coffee while you wait for your package.’

2. At closing time, when Contempo Nail Salon’s neon sign flickers off, a mysterious voice booms over the intercom: ‘All customers must remove their shoes before leaving.’ No one knows whose voice it is or why they should obey such an odd request. One night, a delivery driver ignored the warning and left with his shoes on. The next morning, he found them glued to the salon floor—with his socks still inside! A regular, hearing about it, joked that maybe it was the salon’s way of ensuring everyone left happy.

3. At sunset, while customers were leaving Contempo Nail Salon, a small dog trotted in through the open door. No one noticed him until he started barking excitedly at the reflection in the polished nails. The salon was quieting down for the day when the little dog suddenly ran up to the mirror and began chasing his tail in the reflection. Everyone burst out laughing—even the most serious makeup artist couldn't help but smile. The owner, noticing the commotion, gently picked up the dog and took him outside, where he happily joined his owner waiting in the car.

4. While getting her nails done one afternoon, a regular exclaimed, ‘I swear I just saw someone walking out of here with my purse!’ The nail technician calmly replied, ‘Oh no worries, ma’am—your purse is right here on the counter.’ The woman looked down and laughed sheepishly, realizing she’d left it there herself while chatting. Turning back to the tech, she joked, ‘Guess I’ll owe you one!’ And so began their weekly tradition of catching each other’s forgetfulness.