Minding Your Business- Cook's Nook Chatham

For Tom Peters, owner of Cook’s Nook in Chatham, what started as a shared dream with his late husband has grown into a beloved local shop on Main Street that is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year.

Cook’s Nook opened in 2016 after an opportunity became available when Nickerson Gallery moved out of the space. Peters and his husband, Ron, decided to take a chance on the idea of opening a kitchen and cooking shop.

“Ron had always loved to cook and always thought it would be fun to do this,” Peters said. “At that point, I was the bottle washer, so I said, ‘Great, that sounds great. We can do that.’”

Peters had previously been involved with another shop, but after his husband’s death — and while navigating the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic — he decided to close that location and focus exclusively on Cook’s Nook.

“For me, it was a good move, down to one person, me, running it,” he said.

Although Peters manages the shop himself much of the year, he brings in seasonal help during the busy summer months and has a few part-time employees who work throughout the year.

Cook’s Nook is open year-round, operating fulltime through Jan. 1 before switching to weekends through mid-April. The shop then returns to a fulltime schedule for the spring and summer seasons.

Inside, shoppers will find a mix of practical cooking essentials, entertaining pieces and unique gifts. The walls are chock full of all kinds of gadgets, cooking essentials and everything in between. It is truly a chef’s paradise! 

“I’ve got to have a little bit of everything,” he proudly said, noting that about 80 percent of his customers are visitors to Chatham, while 20 percent are local residents.

Among the shop’s bestsellers is its colorful splatterware, which Peters describes as both functional and versatile. This type of cookware can go from the oven directly to the table, making the pieces as attractive as they are useful.

Dish towels, aprons, candles and cutting boards are also popular, as are Chatham- and Cape Cod-themed gifts. It is one of the most fun local shops to explore.

And, naturally, all of Cook’s Nook’s shark-related items are a hit in the Chatham area.

“Anything sharky, of course, is a big thing,” Peters said.

One of the newer products in the shop is carbon-steel cookware from Misen. Peters said the cookware has been popular with customers looking for an alternative to traditional nonstick pans.

“It’s a nonstick carbon-steel cookware,” he said. “Carbon steel is a natural surface. There’s nothing applied to it in any way. It is naturally nonstick.”

Cook’s Nook also carries a variety of specialty products, including locally made items, Cape Cod-themed goods, coffee, popcorn from Amish country and drink mixes that can be frozen into slushy-style beverages — a particularly convenient option for vacationers who may not have a blender with them.

Peters enjoys finding products that customers might not see everywhere else.

“I love having something that you don’t see everywhere,” he said.

He said he has been particularly grateful for the support Cook’s Nook has received from the community over the past decade.

“I’m very grateful for the community and for our customers,” Peters said. “We couldn’t make it 10 years without their support.”

Cook’s Nook will also host a special event in October with local author Jill Meyer, who is releasing a new book, “Finding Scarlet.” Meyer, a former innkeeper, incorporates recipes connected to the story, and the event will include samples of her scones.

Meyer will be at Cook’s Nook for a book signing on Saturday, Oct. 10 from 1 to 3 p.m. She will sign books and answer questions about the novel while Peters serves tea.

For Peters, the event is another way to bring people into the shop and celebrate the community that has supported Cook’s Nook for the past 10 years.

“There’s nothing like the Cape,” he said. “And Chatham is just so special.”

Cook’s Nook Chatham

618 Main St., Chatham

508-945-0310