Out of the Pod may be the only children’s store in Northeast Harbor, but according to customers it can stand up with shops in shopping meccas like New York City.

True to Maine style, Nicole McGarr, the store’s owner, accomplishes this without feeling stuffy or unaffordable. “I want children to feel welcome here too. We have toys in the back and a playhouse outside.”

Elli, Nicole’s 9 year old daughter, is in the store with her seven days a week and can do everything from help you pick out a gift to assist at the cash register.

Nicole previously ran the Full Belli Deli for nine seasons before deciding to run Out Of The Pod as well in 2009 (juice bar Crudo is in Full Belli Deli’s previous location).

Besides ambition that would put most to shame, Nicole is a master curator, because she has good taste and she’s willing to experiment with the products she carries. “If I like something, I’ll buy one and try it myself.” says Nicole. She washes, dries, and uses every item to make sure it’ll hold up.

Out of the Pod was originally started as a gap Nicole could fill in the community, but it also connected her back to her love of retail that started at an early age.

“My grandmother used to run a woman’s boutique in Bar Harbor, so that was kind of my thing. I went to the store with her every day, it made me fall in love with retail.”

Having grown up in Bar Harbor with relatives in Seal Harbor and Northeast Harbor, it made sense for Nicole to start her business here.

Out of the Pod carries fashion and toys for children from newborn to tween. Its signature brand is Jules, a children’s clothing line from London. She’s also known for Hatley brand of clothing, Melissa and Doug toy sets, and lobster pajamas, which are often bought in sets and used in customers’ family photo sessions. Nicole, who also does amateur photography, has such photos she’s taken hanging in her shop.

Out of the Pod has everything from tween formal wear (there are weekly formal dances at the Northeast Harbor Golf Club) to children’s gift items starting at $8. She also carries fall and winter clothing items, great for back to school shopping.

Nicole wants parents and kids to know they can get high quality and unique clothing, accessories, and toys at a reasonable price.

Besides her Sea Street location, Nicole also sells through her Facebook page.

Some friends have tried to convince her to move her business to Bar Harbor but Nicole isn’t convinced. “I’m just so committed to Northeast Harbor. I love this town.” She’s on the events committee of the Mount Desert Chamber of Commerce (she gives away free snow cones at summer movie nights) as well as a board member of the Mount Desert Nursing Association.

Because the building is seasonal, Out of the Pod is open 7 days a week ‘until it gets cold’ (typically early October) and then the weekend of Northeast Harbor’s Christmas Festival (typically early December). Nicole also has her phone number on the door and is happy to open up anytime if someone needs a gift or just wants to browse.

Whether you have kids or grandkids, or just some special child in your life, Out of the Pod has something they’ll love, and Nicole and Elli will help you find it.