Nest & Nook is an upcoming indoor co-working and play space in Thornwood, designed for remote-workers, parents, caregivers and their young children. It was founded by Westchester native Nicole Batiste, who most recently served as co-CEO of digital health company Antidote Technologies, and prior to that held leadership roles at TEDMED and at Synapse Group Inc., a subsidiary of Time Inc.
With flexible access options ranging from memberships to drop-in visits, a cozy-yet-modern design and a mission rooted in community care, the space aims to provide a safe, welcoming environment where adults can work or unwind not far from their children.
In a recent exchange with the Westfair Business Journal, Batiste said her research into the need for such a space was driven by her own experience as a working parent and through conversations with other families and caregivers.
“I saw a real need for a flexible, supportive space where adults could be productive or recharge while their kids played safely nearby,” she said. “I also conducted surveys and ran a market analysis which reviewed regional offerings — both of which confirmed a gap in spaces that support connection and community for parents. Nest & Nook is designed to bridge that gap.”
We also wondered about the economics of selling play/workspace work, as opposed to selling retail space. Batiste told us that, unlike traditional retail, which depends on product sales, her model is built around access and experience. Revenue comes from memberships, day passes, private event rentals and ticketed programming. These streams, she said, were designed to create recurring engagement rather than one-time transactions.
“While I prefer not to share specific margin projections, I can say that I’ve been thoughtful about keeping fixed costs lean and focusing on long-term sustainability. My goal is to be cash flow positive within the first year while building a strong, loyal member base.”
She said that insurance considerations had also been a key part of the planning process.
“For Nest & Nook, we’re implementing robust safety protocols and are working with a broker to secure comprehensive insurance coverage, including general liability and umbrella policies, to ensure a secure environment for both children and adults. With children and families in the space, safety and compliance are essential. I won’t open the doors to the public until all policies are in place and fully active.”
Batiste had good things to say about the Mount Pleasant Chamber of Commerce.
While she hasn’t had any inspections yet, she is on the calendar for a signage permitting discussion later in August. In the meantime, she said she’s had helpful conversations with local officials.
“Everyone I’ve encountered has been supportive and encouraging. It’s been great to feel such enthusiasm from the local community.”
She also shared with us that she has had expansion plans “from the beginning.”
“I’ve envisioned Nest & Nook as a model that could be replicated in other suburban communities. Thornwood is just the beginning. I’m excited to grow thoughtfully and bring this concept to more families over time.”
