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Suppose you were heading to an über-important dinner date around 60th and Lexington and you suffered some horrendous nail-related catastrophe. Or, alternatively, that you wanted to bet a friend that you could find the cheapest manicure in the city. Those would likely be the only two motivators to try Karen’s. Climbing to the top of the staircase where the salon resides, you may question whether this place is either safe or sanitary. Still, the tiny, unrefined salon sees a fair amount of traffic through its four mani and pedi stations, most probably because of the ridiculously low prices and the sparse number of nail havens in the area. Surprisingly, some clients also take advantage of the waxing and facial specials, all of which are performed in a room that resembles a glorified janitorial closet with a massage table situated atop lime green cabinetry, its paint in the process of peeling off. In other words, opt for the spa treatments at your own risk. On the plus side, Karen’s is certainly not pretentious: Welcoming faces rush to greet tired shoppers and talk them into more than just a manicure. — Molly Noonan