Mary is totally nailing it! Anyone in the community who knows her simply calls her Mary Nails, since she owns Mary Nails & Co. on Clairemont Ave. in Eau Claire. She has been a nail tech in the area her entire adult life, enjoying not only creating beautiful art on one of the smallest canvases but by connecting with the community through her business and her online presence (she can often be found posting on the EC Foodies Facebook group).

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The best thing about being who I am is that it’s really allowed me to connect with many of so many diversities, whether it be age, ethnicity, social background, or profession.

What’s your passion?

People. All day, every day. And it's not just being obsessed with everyone- it's being their #1 fan and their sounding board. When you get to spend one-on-one time with someone for almost an hour, every few weeks, for years on end, you really get to become family. I get the honor of being in the front-row seat of their lives. Whether it be through finding love or heartbreak, starting their careers or retirement, starting their own families or losing loved ones, or simply finding their own inner happiness, I get to be the one they talk to through it all.

What place in town considers you a “regular”?

Oh, boy. Well, my day just needs to start off at Starbucks- I need my people juice to do what I do all day. Yes, I know it's overpriced. But they've been my constant for years.

Who wouldn't want to start their day off with:
Oh my God, Mary's here! Yay!
Have a great day, Mary! Make lots of money!
We haven't seen you- did you finally take a vacation?

Also, especially in recent years since I have worked in the Westridge Center, I'm a regular at Muang Thai Restaurant and Cancun Mexican Restaurant- West. Though it might have started off as convenience, they've truly welcomed me into the family. They feed me on the rare days I get a lunch break and console me after a hard day's work.

It's also no secret that I adore the family that runs Casey's Creamery. I truly got to see that place come to life. “So... we're thinking of starting another business,” Lindsey said to me at one of our appointments. From the paint on the walls to the snacks on the shelves, I got to be a part of those decisions being made.

What is one of the best cultural experiences you've ever had in the Chippewa Valley?

This one is very recent for me. I had the honor of attending the Black History Gala back in February. It was a team effort between the Black & Brown Womyn Power Coalition and Power of Perception, Inc. I'm from Houston, TX and when my family moved here over 20 years ago, it was a major shock to me when it came to diversity. Seeing how far Eau Claire has come has really made me proud to have a backseat in watching it happen. We are all a part of the human race and it's been amazing to see the Chippewa Valley embrace all of us.

Death bed, one meal from a local restaurant, what would it be?

If I can have an alcoholic drink with it, then it's definitely the Asada Street Tacos and Spicy Mango Margarita from Cancun West.

If not, I'll eat AND sip my bowl of Pho from Muang Thai. Most likely I will be at work on my deathbed, so I have to be smart and pick something close by – time is of the essence.

What book/TV show/movie would you recommend to the members of the city council?

I don't know if Scandal or How to Get Away with Murder would be a good influence on our council. Let's stick with the Chicken Soup for the Soul books. Final answer. Lock it in.

What sort of economic development would you like to see in our area?

Anything that truly helps the people will always be good. I could say the typical, more affordable living, better jobs, etc. But honestly, that's still up to the people to make their own choices. What I'm most passionate about when it comes to people is their mental health. Sure, you can have all the paths drawn out for them to take, but if they're trapped in their own black clouds, they won't be able to see their options to make their own lives better for themselves.

Mary’s Shoutouts

Supporters. “I definitely want to give a shout out to everyone who has ever supported me. Whether it be as a client, as a silent supporter, or as a social media reacter. Days are long and life can be hard, but the moments we get to laugh together are the moments that make my life worth it.”

Local food. “Our food choices are expanding so much and I can't wait to start getting out there to enjoy them more. So shout out to everyone who goes after their dreams and putting in the work to give us more options. I wish you the best of luck!”

Maintenance teams in the area. “The ‘rarely acknowledged’ are a big thing for me. These are the ones who do all the behind-the-scenes to keep our lives running better. This shout out is for all the maintenence teams all across the Chippewa Valley. The ones who keep our garbage from stinking up the city, the ones who make sure the doors close and windows open, the ones who fixes all the things we need to keep running smoothly. There's a place for everyone and everyone's role is crucial, no matter what your living wage or social status may be!”

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If you or someone you know would make a good candidate for Questioning the Locals, send us a message with their contact info and a little bit about them!