Maine couple opens children’s toy shop on Monmouth homestead

MONMOUTH, Maine (WABI) - ‘Wonder begins in the nest.’

A new children’s toy shop has just opened up in central Maine that is sparking creativity and curiosity.

“I want it to feel inviting and little magical,” said Mae Monsees, owner of The Nestling Company, which sits on an 1880 homestead in Monmouth in a restored milk room.

“It’s been sitting vacant for decades probably and we knew it needed a new life,” Monsees said.

Mae and her husband bought the property on South Monmouth Road and turned this historic structure into a place of wonder and imagination.

Inside the shop you can find a collection of all natural toys, books, and craft items.

“I want there to be something for everybody at any stage and age,” she explained.

Mae, now a busy mom of four, started making rope baskets and hand stitch kits eight years ago.

Then she moved on to making her beloved Foraging Baskets which she says, changed the trajectory of her business, which at the time, was strictly online.

“Since then, I have sold to all 50 states and even internationally, and it’s been such a world wind,” Monsees said.

In addition to her handmade items, Mae also sells wooden toys, many of them are sourced from Europe.

“My hope is that these toys don’t just last years but can be passed on,” Monsees said.

Her own children, she says, are her inspiration.

“Especially with this day and age, it feels like we want to fill spaces,” she said. “We want to fill up time for children and sometimes we need just the opposite. We need to slow down and kind of give them room to create and wonder.”

As for what’s next, Mae plans to open up their homestead and offer craft sessions.

“More space. More time together and more room to grow,” Monsees added.

The Nestling Company is located at 175 S Monmouth Road.

Click here to learn more.