Ortonville – Although the name sounds rather whimsical, Nic Naks features exceptional decor and gift ideas.
Partners Sonja Wilcox-Berriel, Chuck Berriel, Linda Spears, and Noelle Sutherland have joined skills to offer a diverse package of art and gift ideas from goats milk lotions and handmade soap to candles to wrought iron door knockers.
‘The merchandise we have is an eclectic mixture of local and imported merchandise,? said Chuck.
Utilizing their skills, the unique group of partners hope to provide interesting gifts to the community.
Sonja offers backyard sprucing-up ideas with features such as garden angels, bird houses, enchanting hand painted garden benches fashioned from reclaimed furniture, house fixtures, and wrought iron fencing to lend magic to a secret garden.
Linda’s custom hand painted messages on century old slate palettes, Christmas bulbs and furniture will finish any signature indoor architecture. In addition gardening journals, handmade by partner Noelle, are a perfect gift for that summer green thumb.
Dotting Nik Naks interior are cozy barn wood furniture handmade by artist Roy Hamilton, to nestle in just the right spot in any home.
Noting the community sense of nostalgia, Chuck says his framing skills will come in handy for the local collectors of antiquity.
‘People are still finding out about us being here, and once my frames pick up it’ll really be busy,? said Chuck.
Whether a list of framed favorites including diplomas, cap and honor cords collages, baby shoes, coin purses, vacation memorabilia or military medals just about any item can be transformed into a keepsake.
‘What I really do is frame memories,? he said.
‘You really have to fall in love with a print to have it framed, but your own items are something that really mean something.?
When friends Sonja and Linda heard of an empty storefront in Ortonville they jumped at the chance to fill the empty windows with Nik Naks.
‘It was like ‘bam-bam? let’s do it,? Chuck said, stating that they heard of the empty storefront from friends and owners of Village Antiques.
Although the move was faster than anticipated the partners have had a lifetime to open a unique retail store that would feature their own distinctive talents.
Sonja , an attorney by profession, has a knack for decorating. Her longtime friend and partner Linda has juggled a career in pathology with her passion for painting. Her daughter Noelle balances teaching and hand crafted gifts, and Berriel says his skill is creating frames, adding that while his wife was in school they owned a framing business in Union Lake, MI, and he is now a stay-at-home dad to their children Sasha and Liam.
‘Sonja and Linda always talked about having a retail store,? said Chuck, who also said when they heard about the storefront in Ortonville, it was time to plant the partnership and grow with the community.
Nik Naks is located at 437 Mill St. in Ortonville (248) 627-6969.
Store hours: Tuesday and Thursday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.Wednesday, Friday, & Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.