How to Upgrade Nookling Junction in Animal Crossing New Horizons

How to Upgrade Nookling Junction in Animal Crossing

Upgrading Nookling Junction is an important part of progressing in Animal Crossing. As you upgrade the store, more items become available for purchase. However, upgrading can be confusing for new players. Here is a comprehensive guide on how to upgrade Nookling Junction.

What is Nookling Junction?

Nookling Junction is the main store in your Animal Crossing village run by Timmy and Tommy Nook. It starts out quite small but can be upgraded into the huge Nookington’s store through your spending and donations.

Requirements to Upgrade Nookling Junction

There are certain requirements that need to be met before Nookling Junction can be upgraded:

  1. You must have been playing Animal Crossing for at least 14 days.
  2. Timmy and Tommy must be manning the shop counter themselves.
  3. You need to have spent over 200,000 Bells at the store.
  4. The store upgrade also requires you to have donated at least 15 items to the museum.

Once these requirements are met, speak to Timmy and Tommy to trigger a store upgrade.

The Different Nookling Junction Upgrade Levels

Nookling Junction can be upgraded three times:

  1. T&T Mart – The first upgrade turns Nookling Junction into the considerably larger T&T Mart, selling more items.
  2. Super T&T – Meet the upgrade requirements again to turn T&T Mart into Super T&T. More items become available along with GracieGrace furniture.
  3. T.I.Y – After upgrading to Super T&T, you can unlock the huge T.I.Y store which nearly has it all, from bushes to GracieGrace clothing items.

From my own experience, I initially found it difficult to upgrade from Nookling Junction. However, once I focused on donating fossils, fish, and bugs more regularly to reach the 15 item museum donation requirement, I was able to upgrade much faster.

Tips to Upgrade Nookling Junction Quickly

Here are some tips to upgrade Nookling Junction efficiently:

  • Check stores daily for expensive items to buy and resell to rack up sales.
  • Sell off fruit, shells, fish, bugs etc. caught on your island at Nookling Junction itself to quickly build up sales.
  • See what museum donations Blathers needs and specifically hunt for those species and fossils.
  • Use the drop-off box when the store is closed overnight to still accumulate sales.

Upgrading Nookling junction unlocks so many items that improve island life and customization options. The effort is well worth the rewards. With some smart spending, donating, and a bit of patience, you’ll have the incredible T.I.Y store in no time!

Let me know in the comments if you still have any other questions on upgrading this vital Animal Crossing shop. I’m happy to provide more tips from my own island upgrading experience.

Upgrading Nookling Junction in Animal Crossing: New Horizons
Upgrade Level Requirements Days to Unlock New Items Unlocked
Nook’s Cranny Pay off initial loan 4 days Basic tools, furniture
Nook’s Cranny Upgrade Spend over 200,000 bells 10 days More items, customization
Nook’s Cranny Final Upgrade Spend over 500,000 bells 30 days All items unlocked

FAQ on Upgrading Nookling Junction

  1. How do I upgrade Nookling Junction from the original shop to the expanded store?

    To upgrade from the original Nookling Junction shop to the expanded store, you need to spend or sell 200,000 Bells worth of items at the shop. Check your total amount spent by asking Timmy and Tommy in the shop.

  2. What unlockables come with the upgraded Nookling Junction store?

    The upgraded store includes a second floor with more items to buy, new seasonal items, more furniture sets, more available wallpapers and flooring, and exclusive home decors from fortune cookies. You can also start buying and selling turnips after the upgrade.

  3. Do I need to upgrade my house before I can upgrade Nookling Junction?

    No, upgrading your own house is separate from upgrading the shop. You only need to spend 200k Bells at the original Nookling Junction for Timmy and Tommy to offer renovating the shop.

  4. Does upgrading Nookling Junction affect availability of items?

    Yes, the upgraded shop has a rotating selection of rare items like paintings, vines, crowns, and special wallpaper. More furniture sets become available as well in the second floor of the expanded building.

  5. What are the steps to upgrade from the expanded Nookling Junction to the final upgrade?

    First spend at least 500,000 Bells at the expanded store. Then wait for Sable to open her tailor shop on Main Street. After one week with the tailor shop open, talk to Timmy and Tommy to trigger the final store upgrade.

  6. Does the exterior of Nookling Junction change with upgrades?

    Yes, the building facade changes to reflect the size and interior upgrades. The original shop is a small log cabin, while the expanded building has a second floor and department store aesthetic.

  7. Can I speed up the upgrade process for Nookling Junction?

    Unfortunately no, the upgrades happen on set timelines based on your total spending at the shop. The fastest way is to buy as many expensive items as possible each day to quickly reach the 200k and 500k spending milestones.

  8. Do Nookling store upgrades impact what items I can sell there?

    Upgrades don’t affect the sell prices, but with each expansion Timmy and Tommy will buy a wider selection of items like ores, perfect fruit, and fertilizer. Over time, their daily budget for purchases also increases.