Nerdy by Nature celebrates grand opening in Troy

TROY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The metaphysical and curiosities shop Nerdy by Nature had its official ribbon cutting in Troy on Friday. The shop moved from Crossgates Mall and had it's soft opening at 99 Ferry Street in Troy in July.

Shawna Merritt started Nerdy by Nature in 2014 and formed an LLC in 2021. In 2018, she started selling her products at craft fairs and then curated events such as the Albany Twilight Market, Upstate Punk Rock Flea Market, and Mind Body Soul Expo.

In April 2023, Merritt opened Nerdy by Nature in Crossgates Mall. The shop closed in March so the shop could move to Troy.

"We were able to find an amazing building we stepped into and it was just home instantly," said co-owner Matty Dwyer. "We were really excited to jump in and pour ourselves into it; take what we did in Crossgates, bring it here, and make it a way-more fully realized version of what we were doing."

Nerdy by Nature sells products from over 65 local vendors and makers. Products include bone art, obscure art, crystals, cleansing, smudge sticks, and other tools for practicing, as well as art, prints, t-shirts, scarves, mugs, high-end bone jewelry, and more.

Nerdy by Nature is open Wednesday and Thursday from noon to 7 p.m., Friday from noon to 9 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Sunday from noon to 6 p.m. The ribbon cutting was held by the Downtown Troy Business Improvement District.