By Anna Yoder | Columnist

As I stroll down East Ohio Street, I can’t help but notice the progress being made over the last few years with the new restaurants and stores popping up. Recently, one store in particular caught my eye with its sweetly decorated window, array of beautiful children’s clothing and a huge giraffe that greets you at the entrance. (I have learned that the adorable giraffe’s name is Gabriel and no, he’s not for sale!) This store is officially called “The Nest Nearly New Clothing for Little Peeps” or “The Nest” by the parents who shop there.

The Nest is affiliated with the Women’s Choice Network (WCN), a pro-life non-profit “network of pregnancy resource centers for single moms facing unexpected pregnancies” and is located on East Ohio Street at the site of a repurposed children’s clothing store which previously partnered with WCN. The Nest was born out of the desire to provide a “heightened” shopping experience where single moms (and dads too) can “shop with dignity” to find boutique-grade clothing for children from newborns up to 8-year-olds. The Nest’s name was selected by the daughters of Lynne Workman, store manager, and Amy Scheuring, WCN director, who believed that a nest symbolized a place where parents prepare for the birth of their child. As such, the theme of baby birds, nests and bird houses adorn the well-appointed store whose clothing and baby items help parents prepare for their new arrival. Each age grouping of clothing is set in a bird houseshaped display with its own feathered friend gracing the top. In addition to clothes, an assortment of other baby items is also available.

The “new and nearly new clothing” donations (not consignment, as Lynne stresses) from churches, the community and previous customers are vetted through a strict “quality control process” to ensure the highest “quality of clothes.” Brianna Facemire, WCN Communication coordinator, describes the clothing dona- tions as “eco-friendly, sustainable and conscientious consumption,” and where previous customer’s clothing donations are given a “new life with a new child.” Lynne and Brianna also explained that any donated clothing that does not find its way to The Nest finds a new home at missions or churches.

A woman of deep faith, Lynne is passionate about her work and defines the Nest as not just a children’s clothing store for pregnant women, but a “ministry that goes beyond selling clothes” to help and provide resources for parents and families through its partnership with WCN. When customers come into The Nest, Lynne “listens to what young families are struggling with” and extends her “love and support.” Lynne also describes The Nest and WCN as an “open door and a light in a very dark place.” WCN is located next door to The Nest and provides a free “Life Support Program” offering “a toolbox of skills, information and resources” to enable “great choices about relationships, pregnancy and parenting.” This program also offers sexually-transmitted disease (STD) and pregnancy testing along with ultrasound imaging. As it turns out, women aren’t the only individuals who can benefit from the services WCN provides. WCN also promotes a “Doctor Dad” program for dads who want to “improve their parenting skills” and learn more about how to keep their baby safe and healthy. An added bonus — the individuals who complete the “Life Support program” earn a gift card to The Nest! Brianna believes that these programs can “take an impossible circumstance and make it possible” and making things possible is what Brianna did shortly after coming on board with WCN.

After what she calls a “God moment,” Brianna created an online service for parents called the “Little Birdie Box” program which was launched at the end of March 2023. This service is The Nest’s first online shopping experience that caters to newborns up to 8-year-olds. Parents complete an online “style quiz” for their child, with questions such as desired colors, patterns, sizes, themes and so on. Based on the answers, six to 10 pieces of clothing tailored to the child are selected from The Nest’s inventory. The clothing is packaged as a “birdie box” and is shipped directly to the parents’ home. This service is ideally suited for those who love to shop online or can’t make the trip into the store.

To enhance her customer’s in-store shopping experience, Lynne proudly directed me to ‘The Nest Neighborhood’ nook — a charming play area outfitted with toys where children can also watch Daniel Tiger and Mister Rogers, and relax in a safe environment while parents shop for clothes.

On my final walk through of the store I found birdhouse after birdhouse of gorgeous children’s clothes creatively displayed, sized so that they were super easy to find and beautifully staged. The only thing I wished for is that the clothes came in my size!

To sum up the work of The Nest and their partner, WCN, they “empower abortion-vulnerable women to choose life.” The next time you are in the market for baby clothes, why not choose The Nest for your baby clothes needs and support these wonderful programs?

The Nest and Women’s Choice Network are located at 425 East Ohio St.