Key Takeaway
To upgrade Nook’s Cranny, 30 days must have passed since the shop was first opened. You must make 200,000 Bells worth of transactions in both purchases and sales combined, and Mabel must have visited your island at least once. After all of these criteria or met, Nook’s Cranny will be upgraded automatically.
Amassing a collection of items is a huge part of Animal Crossing: New Horizons–how else can you decorate your island to perfection? Nook’s Cranny is a shop run by Tom Nook’s sons Timmy and Tommy, and upgrading it will give you access to more unique items each and every day.
Table Of Contents
How to Unlock Nook’s Cranny
When you start your new island life in Animal Crossing: New Horizons, you’ll initially purchase any items you need from the Resident Services tent. Not many items are available to start, however. If you’d like a better selection, you’ll have to unlock the Nook’s Cranny brick-and-mortar shop.
First, you’ll need to pay off your loan to Tom Nook. Paying him 5,000 Nook Miles will also allow you to upgrade your tent to a house, which you’ll need to do in order to unlock Nook’s Cranny. (That’s right, you’ll need to take out another loan.)
After your house is built, chat with Timmy inside Resident Services. He’ll tell you that he’s interested in opening a shop with his brother Tommy. Accept his quest to make his dream come true.
In order to complete the quest, you’ll need to bring the following materials to Timmy:
- 30 Wood
- 30 Hardwood
- 30 Softwood
- 30 Iron Nuggets
To find wood, you’ll need to chop fully-grown trees using an axe. Trees have a 33 percent chance of dropping either wood, hardwood, or softwood, so you’ll just need to keep swinging until you have all the pieces you need.
Iron nuggets can be obtained by hitting rocks with a shovel or axe. You’ll also want to chat with your villagers, as some of them may donate some materials to the cause.
Timmy will give you a Shop Construction Kit after you bring him everything on his list, along with some random items to kickstart your island decorating. Find where you’d like to put the shop and select the kit to begin construction. The shop will be open for business the following day.
Note: When delivering items to Timmy, be sure to have full stacks of 30. He won’t accept smaller donations–only the full quantity required.
How to Upgrade Nook’s Cranny
Nook’s Cranny offers some nice goods, but the supply is lacking. With only a few new items available each day, you might be desperate for a larger selection to peruse. Upgrading the shop will grant you access to more unique items, including seasonal goods. Sadly, upgrading the shop isn’t as simple as turning in items. It’s also more time-consuming.
To upgrade the shop:
- 30 days must have passed since Nook’s Cranny was first opened
- 200,000 Bells in transactions must be made at Nook’s Cranny (In purchases and sales combined)
- Mabel must have visited your island at least one time
After all of these requirements are met, Timmy and Tommy will automatically call to let you know that Nook’s Cranny is being remodeled. The next day, the shop will be unavailable while it’s under construction.
The upgraded shop includes a much wider selection, including more durable tools and more pricey items.
