COMBINING TALENTS

The Cottage Nook offers clothing, furniture, jewelry and more

Story and photos

by Jerri Brouse

Two area women with a knack for business and an eye for design have combined their talents to offer shoppers an intimate, boutique experience at The Cottage Nook, a new shop featuring furniture, home decor, jewelry, women’s clothing and accessories and more.

Owners Lisa McCarty and Tracie King opened their doors to the public in November 2022 after spending a whirlwind two and a half weeks getting the store stocked with inventory and ready to go.

“That’s right, just two and a half weeks,” joked McCarty. “But it was all about the timing.”

THE TIMING WAS RIGHT

McCarty, former owner/operator of McCarty’s Tattered and Torn, explained she had just been reduced to part-time hours at her job when she learned that the space at 551 Mill St. was available for rent. The space was perfect for a small boutique — she knew this because 551 Mill St. is where “McCarty’s Tattered and Torn” had been located just a few years ago.

McCarty had only been open a short time when the pandemic hit and she was forced to close down, move out and move on. She took a job with a “big box store,” but it just wasn’t the same; she missed having creative freedom to do as she pleased with her decorating ideas and grew tired of the mundane structure of the environment.

“I tried,” she said. “But the big box stores are not for me.”

While McCarty was thinking about going back into business for herself, King said she was also toying with the idea of opening her own shop, in place of renting booths at various locations. King’s business, “Lucy’s Cupboard,” sold repurposed and refinished furniture as well as home decor.

As friends, the women often talked about the possibility of opening a store together, and when they found out McCarty’s former space was available, it felt like a sign to McCarty.

As for King, the idea of going into business with a friend was something she thought made perfect sense.

“I had wanted a brick and mortar location, but I know that it takes a lot of time and I didn’t want to do it alone,” said King.

Before making their final decision, the two women sat down and put everything in writing.

“This way we both know what our goals are and what to expect from each other,” said McCarty.

“Because we are friends we wanted everything put in writing because we don’t want to just correctly run a business, we want to have a successful business,” King said. “We each bring something different to the table, but we work well together.”

McCarty agreed.

“You need to be able to work well with someone in order to avoid difficulties. I feel that person is (Tracie),” she said. “I couldn’t have asked for a better partner.”

WHAT’S IN STORE?

Shoppers at The Cottage Nook can expect to find a wide variety of home decor items, including wall art, whimsical signs, pillows, blankets, dishes, glassware, baskets and more. The front room is dedicated to providing “real clothes to real women at a real price,” said McCarty.

“We aim to provide clothing and dress-ware for a range of ages,” said King. “Whether you’re 20 or you’re 70 you can still find something.”

The store will also carry purses, greeting/note cards, and locally made soaps and lotions from Field of Flowers in Millville and candles by Homestead Studios.

“We try everything ourselves before we sell it in store,” said King. “So if it’s here, we like it. We won’t sell it if we don’t like it.”

They also have to like the price tag.

“We want to keep things affordable,” said McCarty. “If we get a good deal, you’ll get a good deal.”

The store is open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday through Friday and from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. On the days the store is closed the women are busy behind the scenes — literally.

“There’s a workroom in the back,” explained King. “That’s where we do the refinishing of the furniture pieces.”

All of the furniture that comes into the store are their “finds” and have been carefully repaired and restored before being made available for purchase. A few pieces have been there since they opened, but others have gone out the door the same day they hit the floor.

“Since we’ve opened we have been running around having to restock every Monday,” said King. “We’ve been so busy it’s been crazy. It’s been really good. The customers in Danville have been absolutely wonderful.”

If that’s not more than enough to keep them busy, McCarty and King also offer interior design services and take on small paint jobs and furniture restoration jobs. Those personal family pieces with history are McCarty’s personal favorites.

“I’ve just always had a love of antiques,” said McCarty. For King, it’s more about taking something old and giving it new life before returning it to the family. Bringing customers joy is the biggest complement she could get, she said.

The Cottage Nook plans to have a grand opening celebration this spring. Find out more by checking out The Cottage Nook on Facebook or stop in during operating hours at 551 Mill St.