WILLIAMSBURG — Aisles of kitchen gadgets, cooking supplies, bakeware and more await foodies of all kinds at Whisk & Ladle, slated to celebrate its second anniversary in March.
Locally owned and operated by husband-wife team Jack and Nancy Elliott, the kitchen store is located in Williamsburg Premium Outlets.
“It is very rewarding when people come in and love the store and tell us they are glad the shop is here. That really means a lot,” says Nancy Elliott.
Opening a retail business of their own was an idea they had kicked around for ages. The Elliotts combined their skills to open the business — Jack utilizes experience from years of retail management while Nancy, who has a background in accounting, handles the back-of-the-house activities.
“From the time we met, Jack and I always talked about opening a business,” says Nancy Elliott, “When CorningWare announced its closure, it triggered this idea and we saw an opportunity.”
“Whisk & Ladle has been a great adventure,” Jack Elliott says, “Going into it we were a little bit frightened, especially since we opened during the pandemic. But it has been great, and things have really fallen into place. We couldn’t be happier.”
Nancy Elliott states they have had a tremendous response to the store. Customers love it so much, she is asked often if they would consider a second location, a notion that Elliott says they may visit in the future if the time is right. The couple is also looking into an online storefront.
Currently, the largest part of the store inventory is gadgets. Jack Elliott says people like finding “that little something that makes life simpler, especially in the cooking process,” while showing off a new battery-operated salt and pepper mill with a grin.
“Being an independent shop has given us the flexibility to choose a variety of items,” says Nancy Elliott. “We tell customers that if we do not have it, ask, because the store can be overwhelming so it may have been overlooked. And, if we don’t have it, it may be an item to consider stocking in the future.”
For hours and directions head to the Whisk & Ladle Facebook page.
