Photographer / JWcreative.indy
When walking inside the doors of The Nest, also known as the former Jonathan Byrd’s Cafeteria, the restaurant turned business center just off of the I-65 Greenwood exit amazes many people due to it’s complete remodel. The Nest Event Center takes up most of the building, but the goal of the space wasn’t just to create an area to hold weddings and parties. It’s also a hub where community and business are tied together.
Within The Nest, many businesses are like hidden gems. You can find everything from coffee to realtors to hairdressers.
Each business comes together to create a wholesome community. A common thread through all the business is that they all know each other — working to support each other in their unique ventures. Owners and renovators of the building, Randy and Julie Faulkner, even have an office for their business Faulkner Restorations at the location.
“We’re bringing back the small-town feel of business,” says Alison Giebler, co-owner of BayBerry Spa.
Co-owners Giebler and Jennifer Hagner created BayBerry, a high-end hometown spa, to give the community specialized massage therapy along with delicious body treatments. From the luxurious and natural body products they use to the relaxed environment of each of their four rooms, there is no doubt you’ll find tranquillity.
“We take time to get to know our clients and hear their needs,” Giebler says.
Instead of doing the same massage on everyone, Bayberry Spa’s goal is to get to know their clients, customizing every massage to the person.
“Everybody flocks to wholeness, they want their product to mean something,” says Sara Redmon, co-owner of Materia Medica. “Everybody brings in good energy and wants to create a connection with people.”
With an herbal room to create customized natural remedies and skincare, Materia Medica takes a wholistic and non-conventional approach to their waxing, tanning and derma-planing, health coaching and makeup.
Ablog Cinema is another business that has created a network with the other owners inside The Nest and the local community. They want to create a close connection with the people in the neighborhood through videography storytelling.
“We [the businesses in The Nest] genuinely care about each other and the success of each other,” says AJ Ablog, owner of Ablog Cinema. “We care about our community.”
Even Brickhouse Coffee Co. provides a space for the community to come in and enjoy the growing passion for coffee and the coffee culture. With the owners, Jared and Lora Stayton, working in the roastery and the coffee house with their two daughters, the aroma of family and intentional interaction with the local community is prevalent.
The selling point of the building for Bruce and Dee Richardson, the owners of Bruce Richardson Realty, was the chapel inside the building. Not only can you have a full wedding with the Nest Event Center, but business owners and clients have access to the chapel where prayer and meditation are welcome
“We sensed the peace of the Lord was going to be in this place because of their [Randy and Julie Faulkner’s] leadership,” Richardson says.
Other businesses are in the building as well, such as The Station Hair Parlor, Amp/Tech, Faulkner Restoration, and Keystone Chiropractic, Real Estate Mortgage Network, and The Nest Event Center. Each is an intrinsic blend of hometown spirit and professional enthusiasm. All in all, the cultivated authenticity of the shops at The Nest is the reflection of the people behind the businesses. They are kind, genuine and eager to bring wholesome products to the community.
“We all try to help each other and encourage each other in our business,” Giebler says. “We’re excited to be here.”
The Nest is located at 400 Byrd Way in Greenwood.
