When I moved here I immediately looked for a place for a pedicure. I found a tiny shack downtown next to the video store. The small green sign with white letters read: Nails, Etc.

I pulled into the awkward, bumpy parking lot and walked inside the shop to ask about pedicures. There were two stations inside, one occupied by the owner, whose name I do not recall but probably should. The decor was “vintage boutique,’ with old hats, cigar box purses and retro shoes on abundant display.

I was told the basic pedicure cost $25, so I made an appointment with Tina Davis, a youngish, vivacious blonde woman.

What was interesting with the pedicure was that Tina sat on the floor, cross-legged, to do the feet. I’ve never seen that before. It worked just fine - although the massage chair doesn’t work (”it’s just a chair”), Tina gave me a warm foot pail with blue salts in it to let my feet soak.

She gave me a decent foot massage (I always want a harder massage than human hands can give) and proceeded to carefully use tons of creams, scrubbies and tools to make my callouses and cuticles pretty. She applied my color very precisely and gave me a nice little kit of toe separators and foot scrubbies to bring in on my next visit. That was also a new experience - getting a little private goodie bag for my feet.

On my second appointment, a few months later, I was pleased that Tina not only remembered me, but also remembered our discussions from before. My guess is good notes or a good memory! And I was also surprised to realize that another of her clients knew me…apparently my library yoga teacher also gets her pedicures with Tina and noticed my name on the datebook for later that day.

Small town? Well, yes. That’s kind of the point. This is a place where everybody knows your name, and I rather like it.

Nails, Etc is on Lake Drive, downtown Crestline: 909-338-8521.

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