Children's boutique The Nested Nook opens in Farmingdale
Colleen Fitzpatrick opened children's boutique The Nested Nook in Farmingdale. Credit: The Nested Nook
Curated coziness is everywhere at the Farmingdale children’s boutique The Nested Nook — from the whimsical name to merchandise to the warm decor (the wall color: "Sweet Coconut Milk").
"I want customers and their children to come in here and feel like they can rest and relax," says proprietor Colleen Fitzpatrick, who opened her business in July after operating online for several years.
The shop features clothes, toys and books for babies and kiddos up to age 6. Also available: wellness items for moms, she says, "to calm the chaos."
Fitzpatrick grew up in Farmingdale, and she now lives there with her husband, Chris, and their four children, ages 9 months to 8 years. After studying communications at Iona College — now University — in New Rochelle, New York, Fitzpatrick worked in nonprofit development.
The dream of running a business "was in my core," she says. "Even before I had children, I wanted to open a baby store. I’ve just been waiting for a tiny space to open up." The opportunity arose in May, and Fitzpatrick seized it.
"I want my store to be a place where my kids can be a part of it," she says. "I read this saying: ‘She didn’t pause the dream. She brought the kids with her.’" Four birth flower artworks — each a vibrant bloom representing one of her children — adorn a wall.
Clothing items are chosen to be "timeless, heirloom pieces that are going to last and can be passed down from kid to kid," Fitzpatrick says.
Selections lean toward muted, earthy tones — from chocolate-brown waffle-knit sets ($35-$40) and rosy-pink onesies ($28) to adorable wooden block animal sets ($16). Even essential oils ($25-$30) — like a lavender, vetiver and sandalwood blend meant to relax the mind and body — are thoughtfully packaged.
The art of retail involves listening, and Fitzpatrick is all ears. "I do appreciate when people tell me specifically what they want," she says. "They’ll tell me, ‘I need leggings for my daughter. When you get them, put them on your Instagram.’"
As a result, she says, "in terms of clothing, the store is now somewhat different from what it was in July." After all, busy moms and entrepreneurs know how to leave room to grow and change.
The Nested Nook, 216 Main St., Farmingdale, 516-998-2566, nestednookbaby.com.
