Hair and Nails by Karen
One of my favorite movies is Steel Magnolias, which features a beauty salon in a nontraditional, neighborhood setting. The quaint interior is beaming with class, nostalgia and comfort. The same ambiance that Shirley McClain and Dolly Parton created in that movie set can be found here in Walden two blocks east of Main Street. On Garfield Street, located at the home of Karen Knoll-Martin you will find Hair & Nails by Karen.
Karen grew up here in Walden and is proud to have graduated from North Park High in 1972. Following graduation, she explored the country and attended airline school. She worked for oil affiliated companies into the mid 80’s but when the oil field went bust she turned to a personal passion in the beauty business.
Karen graduated from Hair Dynamics in 1987 and made a name for herself in the Steamboat Springs community as a manicurist at Head Master and Prime Cuts. Nail art became a popular trend at the time and she created masterpiece work with painted designs, as well as lace and feather detailing.
Karen soon returned to Walden and began working at Classy Cuts with Patty Geer and later Debbie Russell. Karen was the first in Walden to bring artificial nails to the community. She no longer does artificial nails but offers full service manicures and pedicures. She knew she needed to learn more about the salon industry and went to the Academy of Beauty Culture in Grand Junction to perfect skills in hair care. “Working in this business has been a wonderful experience and I’ve worked with the greatest people in the world,” Karen shared of her three decades of experience. In 1990, business was booming and she regularly worked 12 hour days, 9-9 to accommodate the demand for her service. Now she is open 10 AM – 7 PM, Monday through Friday.
Hair and Nails by Karen opened on the Garfield location in 1995. She’s built a long client relationship with over 180 customers that she’s served. From one generation to the next, Karen has made her client family part of her own. “I was raised with the value that you do it right or not at all.” She has always believed in high quality service and works hard to not let anyone down. Her extensive list of services in the cosmetology field ranges from all types of haircuts including mens’, color and perm to nail shellac manicures and pedicures. She also offers brow and facial waxing services. Her product line is also extensive and includes Hempz, Joico, Nioxin, Matrix as well as jewelry and nail polish.
One of her fondest memories was when North Park hosted the National Christmas Tree in Washington DC. She hand painted 23 different sets of nail art on clients in celebration of the event. It was a max on the imagination but a great memory of a real North Park historical moment. When asked what she enjoys the most about North Park and her career in the beauty industry she replied, “I love it all!”
To schedule an appointment with Hair and Nails by Karen, visit her home salon location at 473 Garfield Street or call 970-723-8360.
