The Art of Nails: How Tony’s City Nails Is Redefining Beauty and Resilience in Downtown Passaic

Charlie Harris
Jul 29
2 min read

From humble beginnings in a new land, Tony Nguyen has quietly built more than just a nail salon—he’s built a community. With nearly two decades of perseverance, reinvention, and an unshakable commitment to customer satisfaction, Tony’s City Nails has become a trusted destination in the heart of Passaic. This is the story of an immigrant entrepreneur who turned uncertainty into opportunity and a small shop into a beacon of trust, style, and craftsmanship.

The First Step to a New Life

Tony and Jessi—his wife—their future was uncertain when they first arrived in the United States nearly two decades ago. Like many immigrants before them, they had no clear roadmap—only hope, grit, and the willingness to start from zero. “We didn’t know what we would do, but we knew we had to do something,” Tony recalls.

That “something” appeared almost by chance—a job in a local nail salon owned by a friend. It wasn’t glamorous, but it sparked something deeper. “The more I worked, the more I realized—I didn’t want to just be part of someone else’s dream. I wanted to build my own.”

And so, in the bustling heart of Downtown Passaic, Tony’s City Nails was born.

A Salon Built on Care, Not Just Color

Tony’s beginnings were humble: taking over a small salon with just three technicians and a dream. The location wasn’t easy—surrounded by established salons with loyal clientele—but the couple doubled down on what they could control: customer experience, hygiene, and service quality.

Their strategy was simple but powerful: create a warm, welcoming space where clients could feel both pampered and understood. They consistently updated their services, embraced new trends, and made it a point to never stop learning. “This is an industry that changes fast,” says Tony. “If you’re not evolving, you’re falling behind.”

Challenges of a Changing Industry

Running a nail salon today is not what it was twenty years ago. From economic shifts to rising competition and changing customer habits, staying ahead requires constant reinvention. Tony acknowledges the pressures: “There’s competition from all sides—different communities, tech-based services, and rising costs.”

But instead of retreating, he leaned in. He invested in social media outreach, built strong employee training systems, and found ways to stay visible in a saturated market. “Technology and trust must go hand in hand. Clients want beauty, but they also want safety, consistency, and personality.”

Beyond Nails: A Personal Legacy

For Tony, the success of his salon is not just financial—it’s deeply personal. It has allowed him to raise a family, send his children to college, and build a sense of belonging in a place that was once foreign. “Every design, every happy client—it reminds me why we started,” he shares.

His gratitude is evident. “I want to thank every client, every staff member, and every friend who believed in us. Tony’s City Nails is not just our livelihood—it’s our life’s work.”