Born and raised in New Orleans, Bryan divides his time between the Garden District and the Upper East Side. This blend of the "Big Apple" and the "Big Easy" has created a cross-pollination of design styles that he brings to Hazelnut, creating its unique sensibility of chic, mixed with old world charm.

Tom Cianfichi began his career in New York as an actor then a director and then a casting director before turning his artistic talents to retail. A position in visuals for the Bally of Switzerland Flagship store in New York City opened the door to almost a decade in management, buying and visuals at one of Madison Avenue’s most exclusive gift and home accessories stores. A series of collaborations with Bryan Batt under the corporate name Hazelnut Productions, Inc., led to the realization of their dream of having and running a fine gift and home accessories boutique in Batt’s hometown. Hazelnut is the proud fruit of their labor.