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Corner Nook in Waterloo is anything but a nook. It’s a local hometown
store that embodies country charm, contemporary chic, and everything
in between. Corner Nook offers home décor, furniture, candles,
candies, greeting cards, baby items, and women’s purses, jewelry,
and scarves. A walk through the door immediately alerts your senses as you breathe in the aroma of WoodWick candles. I think the scents are calming and inviting. Tranquility sets in and the journey through four rooms of unique and decorative items starts. Jill Magers is the owner and runs the store by herself. “I always wanted to have my own store,” she says. “I remember going through unique and interesting shops (throughout my travels), and thinking to myself how nice it would be to run my own business and meet new people every day.” Well, dreams do come true. “With the love and support from my husband and family, I opened the Corner Nook a year ago.” Jill grew up in Elkhorn and remembers visiting Waterloo as a child with her mother. “I always loved this building,” she shares as she recalls fond memories from a not-so-distant past. When the building became available, she talked to her husband and he pushed her the extra step to go for it. Now almost one year into it, Jill has created quite the shop, and she says she is happy with her space, products, and services. When Jill first chose items for her store, she tried to choose products that are not available everywhere and are unique in order to attract customers. WoodWick candles are made from soy and crackle like a fire when lit because they are made with a wood wick. Plus, they have a sleek, contemporary look. Beanpod candles are the other popular brand found here. They are 100% soy, made in Iowa, clean-burning, and the fragrance lasts as long as the candle does. As you peruse the room, you will see the Abdallah Chocolates line and Robert Rothschild’s gourmet foods, including raspberry salsa, vodka pasta sauce, artichoke dip, pineapple coconut mango tequila sauce, and much more. The next room may bring a smile to your face, whether you recognize it or not. “This room is still evolving,” Jill says. “I tried to buy for too many ages and came to the conclusion that baby is the way to go.” The baby room is small but plentiful. Jill opted to go with a few lines that moms, grandmas, and friends seek for their own little ones or as gifts. The Taggies line is a special line of blankets with little silk tags sewn on the edges in beautiful colors. I think the Topsy Turvy dolls are just fun. One minute you have Goldilocks in your hand, and then once turned over it is the three bears. There are two dolls in one. Then there is the Jellycat line of soft plushy items that almost any tot would love to cuddle with. The back room offers an array of products. “I chose to carry the Bingham and Marc Chantal lines of purses,” Jill says with a smile. “Women are crazy for the purses, watches, and bracelets.” This is an area that Jill is considering expanding as she is just figuring out the right product mix to offer her clientele. This room also displays some of the furniture she offers from British Traditions, including hutches, bookcases, tables, and buffets. There are also many signs on the wall with sayings such as, “Live Well, Laugh Often, and Love Much.” You will find some more lighthearted signs as well, such as “My Kitchen My Rules.” There are numerous clocks. “I love clocks,” says Jill. “However, you have to be careful and not buy all the items you like. You have to attract the masses.” This room offers other temptations such as Deco Breeze portable fans, which are decorative and funky; Carson home accent figurines offering praise, faith, and love; more candles; glassware; dishes; pictures; and table settings. As you swing back toward the entrance you enter a small room with recipes, casserole dishes, signs, and an interesting product: dip chillers. Jill is proud of these dishes. “How many times have you had a party and the dip just sits out? These dishes offer you the opportunity to put ice in the bottom part and dip in the top to keep the dip cold and safe.” By the front register you will notice greeting cards. The store carries lines from Legacy, Eric Decetis, and Dolly Mama’s. Legacy cards display beautiful artwork, while the other two lines are humorous. “Women cackle in the corner just reading the Eric Decetis cards,” Jill says. So how exactly does Jill get all of these great gifts for her store? “I go to market and it is a blast!” Jill has been to the Kansas City, Atlanta, and Las Vegas markets so far. Jill and about 24 other merchants from Elkhorn, Valley, and Waterloo combined their knowledge and advertising dollars and have formed an advertising consortium. This allows them to use their combined advertising dollars to attract customers from the greater Omaha, Fremont, and Lincoln areas. They are able to put together full-page spreads, with each unique retailer taking up their own individual space. They have named themselves “The Shoppes of the Vintage Villages.” Exposure among the three cities entices customers to go the extra mile to visit another interesting retailer, Jill points out. Jill enjoys hosting in-store events with raffles and food sampling. She has holiday open houses and encourages women and women’s groups to try a “girl’s day out” by visiting the Corner Nook and other businesses in the Vintage Villages. Her next party on the agenda includes a “spring fling,” which will offer daily in-store specials and the start of a new candle club. Then comes the anniversary party in May to celebrate a year in business. “There’s always a reason for a party,” Jill says with a smile. Jill leads a busy lifestyle with her shop, three daughters, and her husband’s business, A Plus Heating & Cooling. “There’s never a dull moment,” she says. The Corner Nook is located three miles past 204th and Maple streets. It is at 301 Third St. in Waterloo, and is open Wednesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call Jill at 779-3284 for more information, or visit www.cornernook.biz. |
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