At the recent Grand Opening of my brick and mortar store in Roswell, Georgia, I kept hearing a common theme amongst the busy and enthusiastic shoppers: "We NEEDED this!"
Downtown Roswell, GA is a haven. A beautiful, family friendly community that rivals the backdrop of any quaint little storybook town. We have Canton Street, with its walkable shopping and vibrant restaurant scene. We are home to some of the best public and private schools in all of North Atlanta. And we have the most families per capita in North Atlanta. One thing we didn't have? A Baby and Kids boutique to service all of these families (until now).
The Missing Piece in Roswell's Family-Friendly Puzzle
Why would a thriving area that is practically begging for a store that caters to kids and families not have a dedicated store? I had many guesses. As the owner of a local yoga + pilates studio (Naked Mind Yoga + Pilates), I know one thing. Rent is high in Roswell. Many times, you just can't find a reasonable rent situation here. It's gotten so high that only a few things seem to survive: Medical offices, Restaurants and Law Offices. Residents have been complaining about it, but nothing seems to be changing. More retail is craved, but is it even possible?
Finding Inspiration Through Travel
Everytime our family travels, the first thing on my list is to find the local children's boutique. And there is always an assortment of curated shops to choose from. There are toys, books and clothing for kids, all within reasonable reach of wherever we stay. It is often the highlight for me and Liberty to go shopping and find our "place". Somewhere she can hang out and be comfortable while I am able to shop and find her unique items that I can't find "just anywhere". After 4 years of doing this, it became my mission to bring this joy and service to the area that we call home.
When Opportunity Knocked
I remember saying to a friend one day "If the right space becomes available on Canton Street, and no one else beats me to it, I'll do it". Well, that happened a bit sooner than I'd bargained for. But when I first stepped into 1169 Canton St Suite 2, I knew I was in. Everything about the space was just so inviting to me. Every place that my eye landed brought me a fresh idea. It is walkable, but a driveable destination as well with free parking (a premium these days). All of the stars had aligned. I was going to do this!
A Labor of Love
Between owning, running and teaching at Naked Mind Yoga + Pilates, planning, starting and running Pinkerton's and getting a 4 year old off to Pre-K...this has been a LABOR OF LOVE. But nothing has been able to beat all of the beautiful children entering this space and finding items that make them feel as unique as they are. The smiles are priceless. The amount of amazing products that I want to show you guys is endless! The ideas for events, seasonal gatherings and just all around FUN are overflowing. We finally have this space, this place. It is a home to you now, so please don't be shy. Come, and come often. We are here for you!
Welcome Home, Roswell Families
You guys were right. "We NEEDED this!" And I am going to make sure that we can keep it :)