Hester & Cook’s Carnival Lands in Hillsboro Village
Step right up! Hester & Cook has opened new concept, Carnival, at their Hillsboro Village location. Learn more about this sweet setup — and get ready for their Grand Opening on Sunday, October 5. Image: Hester & Cook
Hester & Cook has always been known for its clever paper goods and festive finds, but now the team is taking things up a notch with Carnival — a brand-new space at their Hillsboro Village store that brings balloons, candy, and plenty of whimsy under one roof. Think stationery meets party shop meets community hangout.
The idea came from a classic neighborly moment. “Our florist friends next door (A Village of Flowers) kept getting asked for balloons, and they don’t sell them. Everyone assumed we would. So we thought … maybe we should!” says Marketing Graphic Designer Reagan Skomp.
That spark grew into a full-on concept: a candy-forward, kid-friendly spot with gifts and party staples just steps from Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital. “We wanted a place where someone could quickly grab a card, a happy, or a stuffed animal for a child at the hospital,” adds Reagan. “Even a baby’s first stuffed animal or first card — it’s meaningful.”
Carnival also marks a first for Hester & Cook, as balloons and ribbon join the lineup. Candy runs the gamut from international imports to locally loved chocolates (no surprise since the team also co-owns Bang Candy). “We’re big chocolate people,” Reagan says, laughing. “And popcorn people too … we’re still debating if the office popcorn machine makes the move over here!”
And it’s not just retail — once a month, founder Angie Cook and store director Kristen Cudd plan to host Sunday Story Time, complete with carpets rolled out for kids to gather in a reading circle.
The official grand opening takes place on Sunday, October 5, from noon to 5 p.m., with SusieCakes, King of Pops, a ribbon-cutting, and a champagne toast at 12:30 p.m. In short, it’s a party about a party shop — and the perfect welcome to the neighborhood.
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Anne Marie Hanna
An Ole Miss alum residing in Nashville, Anne Marie is passionate about telling the stories shaping the South. Outside of work, you’ll likely find her on a porch with a coffee and a good book, gardening, listening to music, or enjoying time with friends and family.