An idea to celebrate the artistic outpouring of talents from a diverse group of individuals is now being launched as the Possibilities Boutique at The Nest Coffee Shop in Deep River, in part due to the restrictions mandated by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Nest, located at 162A Main Street in Deep River, creates employment and social opportunities for young adults with autism, with an intellectual or developmental disability, or who are neurodiverse.

The boutique sells a variety of handmade items from 17 artists primarily from Chester, Deep River, and Essex.

Jane Moen, executive director of A Little Compassion, Inc., the non-profit that runs The Nest Coffee Shop, says the creativity of the “exceptional artists” employed at The Nest was the impetus for the boutique, along with safety protocols necessitated by the pandemic.

A recognition of the abilities of these artists wasn’t anything new.

“It was exactly a year ago this week that we were looking at another place in Deep River, hoping to rent a space for an artist’s nest,” said Moen.

The added locale in Deep River would have been an “extension of our nest and it was really where all of those creative talents of our young adults” could flourish, with a sensory friendly space for art lessons, a studio and gallery space, said Moen.

Although “that fell through right before COVID…it’s always been in the back of our minds,” said Moen. “It was a goal for us, to get back to it.”

With a recent reversion of the state’s reopening guidance that reduces the capacity of the coffee shop during the pandemic, Moen said that the store’s gathering room, which “was supposed to be cozy and full,” lacked the vibrancy it was meant to have.

“There was our space, empty, and I just kept meeting all of these talented young adults,” she said.

One was Murray Newton, who makes wooden puzzles in different shapes such as an owl or cat.

“He kept bringing me more things,” said Moen, who found places in the shop to display them for sale, until she realized that the concept of sharing the talents of these young adults was “coming to life on its own.”

Moen decided to officially convert the coffee shop’s dining space into the boutique.

Mary Jo Helchowski, an independent director on A Little Compassion, Inc.’s board of directors, said the boutique at The Nest is an opportunity for young adults to “do something they like and also make money at it.”

“I think it’s important for people to realize that people with disabilities and people on the [autism] spectrum have interests in other aspects of life, outside of their disability,” she said, adding, “It’s important that people see that they’re just regular people and that you can connect with them in lots of different ways.”

Along with Newton, Erin Peng is another artist of the boutique. She creates colorful infinity scarves using a 22-peg knitting loom.

Her mother, Siobhan Peng, says Erin sold them at a Christmas craft fair two years ago and they “were quite popular…Her artistic style has evolved over the last couple of years,” said Siobhan Peng.

Peng has also donated her scarves to support the programs of Horizons, an organization that offers transition programs for people with developmental disabilities and other special needs.

With Horizons, Peng studies at Eastern Connecticut State University and has held jobs at a clothing store and restaurant.

The Horizons program has “help[ed] me to become an independent woman and to take care of myself,” said Peng.

The Possibilities Boutique is open during the Nest’s hours of 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. from Tuesday to Sunday. For more information about participating in the boutique as an artist, email The Nest at greatday@alittlecompassion.org.