The Cuckoo’s Nest

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1013 Cuckoo's Nest

Angela Tenbarge, owner and sole employee of The Cuckoo’s Nest.

Quirky, unusual and crazy are words Angela Tenbarge, owner and sole employee of The Cuckoo’s Nest, uses to describe her specialty store.

Tenbarge, a retired nurse, said she never knew her taste was uncommon. But when customers continued to tell her how unique the store’s home accessories and gifts were, she realized just how eccentric she and her store are.

“I just pick out things that I love and things that make me happy,” said Tenbarge, a Brook Highland resident. “If it makes me feel good, makes me laugh or makes me happy, then that’s how I pick it out.”

From a pig toaster to an animated autumn gourd, there are surprises around every corner. There are also salutes to the current holidays mixed in with home décor, jewelry and Alabama and Auburn football paraphernalia. 

In November, customers might find a decorative Thanksgiving dinner spread or a toy nutcracker in December. And no matter the month, there is always something flashy somewhere in the store due to Tenbarge’s “sparkle weakness.”

“I don’t want it just to be a store,” Tenbarge said. “I want it to be an event. I want it to be a fun occasion.”  

As soon as customers park in the gravel lot, their eccentric trip begins. Lush flowers and bushes encircle the gated store, and a stone walkway leads to the small, green Cuckoo’s Nest with a purple door. 

Most customers find their way to the large plastic cow — Zelda Mae, as Tenbarge named her — before they enter the store. Tenbarge uses Zelda Mae as a landmark for the store and hand-makes seasonal hats for her to attract more attention.

“So many people will come, go out to that cow and take a picture,” Tenbarge said. “I try to change her up. Last year at Christmas she had on a red and green tutu with elf booties, and in the spring she had on a big floral Easter bonnet.” 

People might stop for Zelda Mae, but they stay for the fun in the store.

When Tenbarge feels especially festive, she might make herself a hat to wear or completely dress up for a certain holiday. For the store’s opening in November 2012, she made decorative hats for the customers as well. Tenbarge said one customer liked her hat so much that she wore it to Sunday school.

With so much vibrancy in and outside the store, Tenbarge gives shoppers their space while shopping. However, once they come to the register for checkout, there are usually many spouts of laughter and chatter.

“I enjoy talking to people and getting to know them,” Tenbarge said as she smiled through her purple-rimmed bifocals. “They don’t get out of here without me knowing something about them and them knowing something about me.”

Even without the verbal exchange at the register, customers can get to know Tenbarge well through her vibrant store -— quirky, unusual and a little “cuckoo.”