The Mouse Nest

07/20/2025

UPDATE 2:
We found out the mower was stolen on Saturday morning and scrapped immediately after. Only after their truck was put on this post, I pressed criminal charges, the cops went to them, and the wife came to my house to harass me, did they decide to give me some cash to replace it (not even the amount I had in it but they will argue that because apparently they know all about a mower I had for years?). I still am not sure I want to drop the charges against them because of the way it was handled and the lack of remorse or empathy about how this impacted my family. Partial repayment doesn't solve the fact that I don't have a mower, my yard is now overgrown, bugs are going insane, and I now have to find a new one that I can trust when I simply do not have the time or energy for it. SO MUCH unwelcome drama unfolded Monday from them. Despite them saying sorry, they also are trying to rewrite this narrative, justifying what they did fully, blaming me for them stealing my mower and selling it, acting like it was broken when it was NOT BROKEN (plus.. NOT THEIR BUSINESS- that was MY mower!), acting like it was worthless, like it was IN the alley (my yard is not an alley), gaslighting me, accusing me of lying about this and more. The dragging my name around town and online is insane because every interaction is screenshotted, recorded on my security camera, I have receipts for it all, documented everything and then some etc. Will absolutely post that if need be. Yet their friends bully me online and threaten me for posting this on facebook. They have no leg to stand on in this. I am leaving this post up as a digital archive in case this happens to anyone else. I am so tired and did NOT need to be dealing with this and now trying to find a new mower that I can rely on immediately. Let me know if you see anything.

UPDATE:
Please reference the last photo and let me know who this is & where they are located and I will literally put your name in a hero plaque on The Mouse Nest wall 😭

Would LOVE to post a business update- but instead I've had quite a few issues here in town- this being the latest one. Please share the hell out of this so I can get back to working on the shop and not have to worry about the fact that someone in this town trespassed onto my personal property and stole my lawnmower. Kinda makes you lose faith in the place you live in and are investing everything you've got into.

So someone stole my lawnmower out of my yard between Friday night and Saturday morning. It's a red Craftsman YS4500 (similar model than the stock photo used, same as in photos with me on it) that had my blanket on the seat. Theres other definining characteristics that I'd be able to identify it using. Stolen on 2nd St in Chillicothe IL. If you see it locally or on marketplace for sale tell me and I will take care of the rest. Police report is filed

11/21/2024

in honor of finally finishing our new logo….
we have official merch now!! 🐭

these sweaters, shirts, bags, mugs, magnets and stickers are handmade to order rightttttt here in Peoria & every cent earned from this will go towards final start-up costs to get our doors opened by April of 2025.
our goal is to sell 250 items & I’ll update when we make it there! 💞

we are SO CLOSE to that finish line now & with your support we are one step closer to setting that grand opening date.🖤

⭐️ DM to place an order!
⭐️ $5 flat shipping anywhere in the US with recycled + biodegradable shipping materials.
⭐️ designs by me Maria
⭐️ mouse drawing by Ping
⭐️ printing by WaggyGoodz

10/26/2024

participated in our FIRST downtown Chillicothe Merchant’s Trick or Treat event yesterday! 👻

handed out more candy than anyone’s dentist would be comfortable with & absolutely loved seeing all the unique costumes and big ol smiles. events like this reallly make me thankful to be investing in our community.

cannot waiiiiit until next year when we are actually OPEN and can have you trick or treat inside too! 🫶

xoxo,

maria

04/10/2024

lovveeeee our beautiful accross the street neighboring buildings & businesses! 🥰
cannot wait until we get our space looking just as good as they’ve been able to & open hopefully this summer!

(unfortunately the TIF money mentioned in this article is not available anymore so we do not have that to our benefit… which means it’s taking us just a little bit longer to complete renovations/restoration, but we are working hard to get there and open our doors soon! ❤️)

In the last five years, small businesses have moved into once vacant spaces and many old buildings have been renovated.

10/14/2023

and just like that, the building is ours! ❤

920 N 2nd Street in beautiful historic downtown Chillicothe is our official nest. 🐭

if you’re new here- once finished, The Mouse Nest will be a collective of incredible things.
think super unique vintage clothing, accessories, and rehabbed furniture pieces. handmade seasonal candles, soaps, and soaks made with intention. a lounge where you can sip espresso beverages and cocktails while listening to local music or enjoying local art. weekly small batch sweet treats to enjoy. a shelf of used books to read- and local authors works to support. somewhere local creators can sell some of their goods/showcase their work. a place to go where you’re always welcome and sure to stumble upon something outrageously cool.
that’s what we strive to be!

stay tuned for a whole lot of renovation content & fundraising efforts- we’ve got to gut this place from the inside out to restore its full potential.

if you’re reading this far- we love you all so much & are so grateful you’re here supporting this dream. :’ )

xoxo

maria