The Nest is a family-owned business, and they are all from New Jersey. MacKenzie’s parents, Robin & Scott (co-owners), grew up in North Jersey, and she grew up on Long Beach Island in South Jersey. Her parents owned a home here in Florida for 10+ years, and she moved here about 3 years ago.

They all used to be in the family business back in New Jersey, where her parents owned several car dealerships and a body shop, and she worked for them. When her parents retired, she moved into the restaurant and event industry, and they all recently decided they missed working together and got back into business together and bought a restaurant.

Their business is a restaurant on Hutchinson Island. When she started working in restaurants, her dad always said they should open one, and after years of working for other people, they decided he was right, and they found this gem of a restaurant and pulled the trigger.

They are a completely family-run operation. MacKenzie’s significant other runs their kitchen, she runs the front of house and events with her dad, and her mom does all their accounting.

Their best advice to the residents is to keep supporting their local businesses, from the short time they’ve lived here, this town has reminded them a lot of their hometown (barrier island, vacation destination, and a lot of locally owned establishments) and their most favorite thing about where they grew up was the abundance of locally owned businesses that had a really close knit community that thrived because of everyone supporting them so much.

They strive to make their guests feel like they are a part of their family from the moment they walk through the front door. They love being in business together, and they love to provide people with a place where they not only enjoy the beautiful views and amazing food, but they actually enjoy visiting with them as well. Their staff is part of their extended family, and it shows in the way they treat every person who comes in.