August 1st marks a big day for me—and if you’re new around here, you might not know why…
It's the 14th anniversary of the day I officially became the owner of this little shop.
Let’s rewind a bit.
My aunt, Sharon Clark (of Pepperberries fame), opened a boutique called Green Nest in February of 2009. That October, I moved to Culpeper to manage it—with every intention of staying just one year. I was in my mid-20s, I was single, and I was hell-bent on getting back to the city to chase a corporate career.
But life, as it does, had other plans.
After the year was up, I agreed to a six-month extension. And at the end of that? My auntie made me what I lovingly call a “Don Corleone” offer—one I couldn’t refuse. After a 6-week soul-searching stint in the Florida heat, I returned to Culpeper, and on August 1, 2011, I became the owner of the shop.
And then… the real plot twists started rolling in.
Just 23 days later, a totally unexpected earthquake hit Culpeper and shattered the front windows of my brand-new business. The street was quarantined. No one was allowed near the buildings. I was terrified and worried about my brand new business.
Eventually, the building inspector agreed to let me board up the windows—but only if I had a police escort.
That police escort? Chris. My now-husband. (Yes, our unofficial Hallmark movie started with the earth shaking, plywood and panic.)
But the plot thickens...
A week later, in early September, I got a cease and desist letter from a company in California that had the name Green Nest trademarked. That’s when I knew it was time for a fresh start—name and all.
Green Nest became Green Roost, and for the past 14 years, I’ve poured my heart into growing this business into what it is today: a shop, a community, and a family I’m so proud of.
Thanks for being part of this wild and beautiful journey. Whether you’ve been with me since the beginning or just found your way here, you’re a piece of this story now too.
Happy August 1st, friends!
