Meet Robin | Owner – Birdie’s Nest Social Sanctuary

We had the good fortune of connecting with Robin and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Robin, other than deciding to work for yourself, what was the single most important decision you made that contributed to your success?
Other than deciding to work for myself, the single most important decision that contributed to my success was trusting my intuition and tuning out the noise of doubt from those who said my vision was ‘too much.’ From the very beginning, people told me my concept wouldn’t work—that it was too niche, too difficult, and that the location was all wrong. But I knew in my heart that Little Birdie Wine Nest would become something special because it was an outpouring of all my favorite things—wine, coffee, crafting, and community—right in my own hometown. Every product we offer, every event we create, and every detail of the space is designed with love and authenticity. It wasn’t built with a big budget, but it’s cozy, real, and perfectly imperfect. I created our little nest to be the kind of place I would adore even if I didn’t own it, and there’s truly nothing else like it. By staying true to that vision and refusing to waver in the face of skepticism, we’ve built something truly unique at Birdie’s Nest that resonates deeply with our community.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Before opening Birdie’s Nest, my career was deeply rooted in Cleveland’s fine dining scene as a certified sommelier. I had the privilege of working as a beverage director for several incredible restaurants, where I gained invaluable experience and developed a deep passion for wine and hospitality. But over time, I realized I wanted something different—something that felt a little less formal and a lot more me.

I didn’t want to leave behind the world of wine or the joy of connecting with guests, but I craved a space where warmth, creativity, and community could come together in a way that didn’t feel ‘stuffy.’ So when my neighborhood wine shop announced it was closing and the owner was retiring, I knew this was my once-in-a-lifetime moment. It was terrifying, risky, and absolutely not easy—but I went for it, and I’m so grateful I did.

Building Birdie’s Nest has been the hardest thing I’ve ever done, but also the most rewarding. Along the way, I’ve learned that success isn’t about having the biggest budget or the most polished plan—it’s about passion, perseverance, and staying true to your vision even when others don’t see it yet.

What sets Birdie’s Nest apart is that it isn’t just a wine bar, or a coffee shop, or a crafting studio—it’s a space that reflects everything I love, woven together in a way that invites people to slow down, connect, and feel at home. I built the kind of place I would love to visit, and in doing so, I’ve found the most incredible community of people who love it just as much. That, to me, is the greatest success of all.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
All of my besties are foodies like me – So, we’d have to center our long-weekend adventures around that for sure!

Wednesday:: Welcome to CLE!

Breakfast: Juneberry Table – The best made from scratch, farm fresh breakfast spot in town, hands down.
Activity: A stroll through The Cleveland Museum of Art—because it’s world-class and totally free.
Dinner: Jaja – In my little dream world, it’s back open (because we miss it), and it’s the perfect spot for a stunning meal. If not, we’d be on the GORGEOUS patio of Cru Uncorked, for an impeccable meal and even better service.
Drinks: La Cave Du Vin – The coolest little underground wine bar in Tremont to wrap up the night in a sexy lil’ way!

Thursday: Nature, Nostalgia & Nightlife

Morning Activity: Reformer pilates at Soul Restoration—because balance is key!
Afternoon: A hike at Westcreek Reservation Metroparks with my bulldogs—nothing better than fresh air and quiet trails.
Dinner: Opal on Pearl – My go-to neighborhood gem in Old Brooklyn for a perfect meal & classic cocktail.
Nighttime Fun: Birdietown – Because mini golf, cocktails, and chic vibes are the perfect way to cap off the night.

Friday: Vintage Vibes & Baseball Nights

Breakfast: Juneberry Table (Yes, again – it’s THAT good)
Activity: Exploring Cleveland’s best vintage shops, making sure to stop at Sweet Lorain—the ultimate treasure trove.
Dinner: Good Company – The best wings you’ll ever have, period.
Evening: A Guardians game with fireworks—because baseball + fireworks is the only way to do it.

Saturday: Sushi & Sips

Morning Coffee & Pastry: Patron Saint so we can feel transported to Europe for a moment.
Activity: A relaxing lakefront walk at Edgewater, soaking in the Cleveland skyline.
Dinner: Ginko Omasake tasting – trusting the chef and letting them take us on a sushi journey, but with Shiso martinis of course.
Drinks: A nightcap at The Bar at Dante upstairs, where my fav bartender Chris makes sure everyone feels like a VIP.

Sunday: Sober Sunday @ Birdie’s Nest

We’d round out the weekend full of dining & drinks with brunch boards & cold brew flights at the nest, followed by a Sound Bath journey with Steve Turner where our space is transformed into a candlelit oasis for the most relaxing yoga experience of your life.

Cleveland has so much heart—and so many ridiculously good places to eat and drink and experience life.
This itinerary? It’s the perfect mix of great food, cool activities, and a little bit of everything I love about my city.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Oof. This one hurts. I could never answer this question without speaking about my grandfather—my ‘Opi.’ I mentioned earlier how Birdie’s Nest was started on a tiny budget, but it was my Omi and Opi who believed in me and gave me the initial $5,000 to get started. From day one, my Opi was my biggest supporter. My fondest memories will always be the countless mornings we spent around their kitchen table, sipping coffee as I shared every last detail of growing this business with him. Through every trial, tribulation, and triumph, he was right there with me.

When we couldn’t afford to get our bags printed, he handcrafted a little stamping machine in his workshop so I could brand them myself. When I got too busy to be able to stamp them, he did it for me while watching his nightly TV. When our handmade wine advent calendars blew up, my Omi & Opi helped build, craft and fill every single one. He gave me the best—and sometimes toughest—advice, and when we hit a million dollars in sales – which we both could have never anticipated when we started this – we celebrated together by opening a bottle of champagne together. I will never forget those moments & memories.

This past December, we tragically lost him at the age of 92, and it’s been incredibly hard to think about this business the same way without him as such a huge influence on it, and me. But I know he is SO proud of me, and I find comfort in carrying this legacy forward. The love, wisdom, and generosity he left our family with is something we will all cherish forever, and I am endlessly grateful that I got to share in this journey with him in such a profound way.

Website: https://www.littlebirdiewinenest.com

Instagram: @birdiesnestcleveland

Facebook: @littlebirdiewinenest

Image Credits
none needed – we took all of these in house