NILES — A Niles couple has decided to spread their wings and soar into a new opportunity, creating “A Lovely Nest” of gifts, furniture and home décor.

Just weeks after Patty and Dan Eycleshymer announced they would close Backyards in downtown Niles, Will and Kelsey Johns jumped at the chance to create a brick and mortar space for their business.

Since 2015, the couple has been selling customized décor, gifts and woodwork and through online Etsy and Amazon shops called A Lovely Nest Décor, as well as at craft shows and at Rise ‘N’ Shine Café on Detroit Road in Niles.

“We’re excited to open the store because we can offer so many more different things,” Kelsey said. “There are a lot of things we offer at the shows, but we can’t show everybody the full extent of what we do because of the limited space.”

In the store at 217 E. Main St., Will and Kelsey intend to showcase samples of the furniture, gifts, décor and projects the couple creates for homes, as well as sell retail items such as signs, mugs and apparel that Kelsey makes by hand.

Will, 30, is a 2006 graduate of Brandywine High School. Kelsey, 30, is originally from a small town called Breckenridge, Michigan, but has lived in Niles for many years.

Will brings his skills as a contractor to the business by creating one-of-a-kind pieces designed to fit customers’ needs, including kitchen tables and bedroom sets.

“He is also going to be able to offer in-home service,” Kelsey said. “He will be able to go into people’s home and see exactly what they envision for their space. For example, if someone wants a pallet wall, he can build that.”

In addition to marketing the business on social media platforms like Instagram, Pinterest and Facebook, Kelsey creates and sells signs, pillows, jewelry, mugs and other apparel. All designs are customizable and can be designed with customers’ messages or names.

Kelsey said she and her husband are excited to grow their business in the downtown, which they feel is also growing.

“The other thing with being a brick and mortar store is that we want to be more involved with the community,” Kelsey said. “We want to be a hip, new place where people can come buy special gifts or hang out and have fun.”

In addition to selling handmade items, Kelsey will also host classes to teach people how to make signs and other customized items.

“A lot of my friends and family have always wanted me to show them the process, to offer a place to have a party or a girls’ night out,” Kelsey said. “I’d like to offer wood sign classes, and maybe some mommy-daughter classes.”

Kelsey said she and her husband plan to completely move the business from their home shop to the store on East Main by March or April, but will offer a sneak peek to customers during the Hunter Ice Festival Jan. 19-21.

“We’ll have hot cocoa and a sample of what we make, letting people know what is coming,” Kelsey says.

Until then, customers can peruse the business’ items online at etsy.com/shop/alovelynestdecor/ or amazon.com/a-lovely-nest/