Why Moms are Flocking to The Nest

A new gathering place for moms, kids and families has “hatched” in the St. Louis area, much to the delight of local parents – and particularly local moms.
 
The Nest, a self-described “stay and play creative café designed to function as a modern day community center, restaurant and membership club for women and families,” officially opened its doors in Frontenac last week. With an indoor play forest, drop-in childcare, classes for women and children and unique and healthy dining options, The Nest fills a niche that has been long overlooked in the St. Louis region.
 
According to Co-Founder Christina McHugh, the idea for The Nest was born from what she describes as “a HUGE deficit in the current market.”
 
“For me,” says McHugh, “what was lacking was a space that caters to children AND offers variety to adults. That was really missing in our area. We try to create an environment that supports families – where mom feels comfortable breastfeeding, where the kids are going to have a good time and not want to leave, where parents will always have that helping hand.”
 
“We’re the ones,” she continues, “who will hold the baby while you pay your check or put on your coat.”
 
What mother couldn’t use a helping hand like that?

Dining at The Nest

Although The Nest offers memberships for those who plan to visit on a routine basis, it is first and foremost, a restaurant. Breakfast, lunch and a whimsical “High Tea Happy Hour” are served daily, Tuesday through Saturday, and the dining room is always open to the public, no membership required.

The cozy – and yes, fairly feminine – space boasts a Fresh Juice and Smoothie Bar AND a Coffee Bar. Healthy meal and snack options designed to appeal to little appetites are on the menu too.

Kid’s meals, such as the Gluten Free House Made Chicken Tenders or PB and Banana Whole Grain Toast Teddy Bear, are served with side options like Quinoa Salad, Fruit Skewers, or Ants on a Log. “All-Day Snackers” like Apple Nachos or PB &J Sushi are available to refuel tiny tummies at any time of day. 

For adults (and kids with adventurous appetites), the menu includes creative breakfast and lunch dishes like Sweet Potato Hash with Poached Egg, Butternut Squash and Goat Cheese Flatbread and The Nest’s Signature (and also gluten-free) Chicken and Waffles. During “High Tea Happy Hour” from 3-6 p.m., guests can choose from a variety of sweet and savory sharable small plate options – and glasses of wine are just $5.  

“It’s a great program for ‘the witching hour,’” says McHugh of the Happy Hour. “It’s the perfect opportunity for moms after school to come meet another mom while the kids have a healthy snack and play.”   

More than Just Good Food

It’s more than just good food and an impressive children’s menu that make The Nest unique. McHugh is passionate about providing women with a space suited to our unique needs, a space where we can work or play, relax or re-energize, all under one roof – and all with our kids in tow.

Drop-in childcare is available daily for children under 5, meaning that multi-tasking moms can enjoy time with friends, meet with business clients or grab a coffee and get some work done – all while little ones are playing happily in the care of a qualified professional just a few feet away. And for older children who require less supervision, an Indoor Play Forest next to the dining area means that moms can sit and work or relax, while still keeping an eye on kids as they play.

In addition to food, fun and childcare, The Nest also hosts events such as parties, showers and book clubs, and offers a wide variety of classes (55 a week!) for women and children of all ages. Classes include:

•   Daily Mommy and Me classes for mothers of babies and toddlers.
•   Parenting Support classes in Infant Massage, Sleep Solutions, Positive Parenting and more.
•   Wellness classes for women, such as Rise N’ Shine Yoga and Cardio Barre.
•   After-School Enrichment classes like Youth Ballet, Art and Minecraft for older children.

 
What You Need to Know
 
Membership is NOT a requirement to take advantage of all The Nest has to offer, but it has some definite perks. Members enjoy unlimited use of drop-in childcare and two classes per week, as well as unlimited daily play passes and a standing invitation to a members-only Sunday Brunch.
 
Memberships range from $24.99 to $149 per month, depending on the size of your family and whether you choose to purchase on a monthly, quarterly or annual basis. And even if you don’t become a member, you can still dine in the restaurant any time you like, and enjoy the many amenities available at reasonable drop-in rates.
 
“We wanted a place our children would love to spend time and that would give us a break when we needed it,” writes McHugh on her website about the initial vision that inspired The Nest.

“We wanted a place to eat the foods that we love … without the meat and potatoes … We wanted a working environment where it is perfectly acceptable to bring our children with us and they are allowed to make noise … We wanted lots of girly things … We wanted access to the stuff that makes us healthier, more present, more balanced: yoga, group therapy, music … We wanted it all under one roof.”

The vision is an impressive one, especially in a world where the unique needs of women and children too often remain unmet. And on behalf of all the St. Louis mothers who have been waiting for a place like this to become a reality for so long, I have just two words for the team behind The Nest: Thank you!

Learn more about The Nest at www.theneststl.com, and check out our photo album on Facebook. Even better, drop by for lunch or a cup of coffee, or visit Be Merry, Bright and Beautiful, a special pop-up holiday shopping and beauty extravaganza taking place this Sunday, December 15 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.