Nice Nook home decor

Another young entrepreneur has opened up shop on Kingston Road, the fourth new business to open in Birch Cliff in just six weeks.

Nice Nook is a lifestyle consignment store that offers an eclectic mix of vintage, contemporary, modern and antique furniture and giftware.

Colleen Imrie

“We try to be more design-based, more trendy, what people are looking for,” said owner Colleen Imrie.  “And we like to present it in a beautifully merchandised way, like a regular retail store would be.”

Imrie and her boyfriend took over the lease at 1488 Kingston Rd. between Warden and Manderley on Nov. 21 and opened the doors of Nice Nook on Dec. 14.

When Birch Cliff News caught up with Imrie on Friday she was on her way to a home in the Beach where she had just bought the contents after the owner passed away.

Imrie’s services include on-location appraisals and consulting as well as pick-up and delivery.  She then sells the nice items in her store.

“We’ve done better than I ever expected in the first six days of business,” said Imrie.  “Lots of people wanting to consign.  Lots of people sharing their stories about how they appreciate the items we’re selling and how they’re beautifully displayed.”

Lovely gift ideas

Nice Nook also stocks lovely product lines such as k. hall soap and body creams, Votivo candles and gorgeous hand-made pillows by artisan Peggy Minos.

Minos is a local artist and illustrator who owns Persnickety Designs. She prints her original art not just on pillows but furniture too.

Minos sells exclusively at three retailers – The Art Gallery of Ontario and Design Republic on Queen Street West, and now Nice Nook.

“Seven years in the making”

Imrie created the business plan for Nice Nook nearly eight years ago when she was in university studying industrial design. She also studied business entrepreneurship at George Brown College.

“This has been seven years in the making,” Imrie said. “I knew exactly what I wanted and I put all my efforts and my education towards that.”

She has another Nice Nook location at Pape and O’Connor, which she is in the process of transitioning into a vintage clothing store with a small home decor section.

Imrie is as pumped about her new store as the people of Birch Cliff are to see a new retail venture contribute to the revitalization of Kingston Road.

“I think it’s all exciting with the condos because it just brings more traffic.  It’s a great time for small business owners and for Kingston Road to grow and expand and invite new types of business and new people from outside,” Imrie said.

Other businesses that have opened on Kingston Rd. in Birch Cliff in the last six weeks include The Birchcliff cafe, M&J’s Eastside Deli and Rustico.

Up next: Custom barn board furniture

In the new year Imrie said she will implement the next phase of her business plan and start selling custom barn board furniture made from wood sourced from her father’s farm in New Brunswick.

She’s already taking orders from people who are sending her designs.

“I’m living my dream at 26,” she said.

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Scroll down to see more photos of Nice Nook merchandise.

Pillows by Peggy Minos of Persnickety Designs.

Mid-century modern teak sideboard for $375.

Soaps and creams by k. hall designs.

Faux leather console table for $235.

Votivo candles for $42.