Nesting House Focuses on Natural, Frugal Parenting

More than three years ago, Jen Kinka and her friend got a night away from their two babies.

While trading war stories over a “tired cup of coffee,” an idea started to take shape.

“We were saying there should be a library or something where baby stuff could be centrally located and purchased or exchanged,” Kinka said.

The Nesting House was born.

The Nesting House in Mt. Airy is both a store where parents can buy, sell and trade their baby “stuff,” but they can also purchase items that help with natural parenting.

“We have a lot of stuff that’s good for the environment,” Kinka said.  “We sell cloth diapers and wooden spoons.  We sell plastic bowls and cups, but they’re all made out of recycled milk cartons.”

Kinka said that the real value of her store is that it helps parents that are on a budget.

“You just go through stuff so fast with a baby,” Kinka said.  “You know you have clothes from when they’re zero to 3 months, and then a whole new set from 3 to 6 months.”

Kinka added, “the stuff isn’t worn out, and you’d hate to just get rid of it.”

Kinka said that she gets all kinds of parents in her store, and not just first time parents.

“Most people think our customers are crunchy types who care about the environment,” Kinka said.  “We have those, but we get people from all over.”

Kinka added, “A lot of our customers come to us on their second kid.  You know, they had their first baby in the winter and the second one in the spring.  Or their first baby was a boy and the second one is a girl.”

“We get a lot of trade-ins for that next kid,” Kinka said.

The Nesting House has been open for three years now, and they just opened a second location in Collingswood, New Jersey.

"We fell in love with Collingswood," said Jen Kinka’s husband Chris who she runs the business with now.  “It seems like a great area; the right population,"

“I would say I’ve learned a lot in three years,” said Jen Kinka.  “I’ve learned how to run a business.  I’ve done a lot of learning on my feet.”

The Nesting House is located at 606 Carpenter Ln. in Mt. Airy.