Business Profile: The Nook at The Niwot Market

Linda Vehrenkamp, owner of The Nook, has been a part of the Niwot community for 26 years, and 2025 marks her seventh year running the shop. Over the years, her store has become a beloved part of the Niwot Market, offering customers a diverse selection of gifts, home decor, and specialty items.

Originally from Wisconsin, Vehrenkamp moved to Colorado and settled in Niwot, where being near Niwot Market inspired her to open a small shop. She spoke with Niwot Market founder Bert Steele about her idea, eventually opening The Nook, which offers a variety of unique and global products.

"I like to introduce the community to different things from all over the world," Vehrenkamp said. "I want to have things changing for [people] when they come in-so they see something new, even if it's not to buy something, but just to look at something different."

For Vehrenkamp, the best part of owning The Nook is the sense of connection it brings. "Being part of Niwot Market-it's really special to me," she said. Over the years, she has watched the market grow and evolve, becoming an integral part of both her life and her family's.

Among the most popular items at The Nook are handcrafted goods and diverse, carefully curated products. The shop's collection of items is always evolving, with new finds sourced from various places to keep the selection fresh and engaging. Aside from owning The Nook, Vehrenkamp takes part in making sure the Market is well organized, frequently restocking, reorganizing, and updating displays to keep the shop fresh.

"I'm in and out all the time," she said. "I don't have a [set] space here to be, so I stock, and change things up. Sometimes I'm here for a set number of hours to redo the shelves, clean the tables, stocking or cleaning."

Vehrenkamp's passion for discovering and sharing unique items continues to shape The Nook, ensuring that customers always have something new to explore.