It’s Small Business Saturday! Did you know Tea is carried in hundreds of boutiques around the country? This year more than ever, these small businesses need your support. Today, we’re highlighting some of our boutiques who work tirelessly to bring you the best children’s clothing. Read on to learn more about each of them.
Brook and Main
Where are you located?
Cohasset, MA
When did you open your store and why did you want to open a retail store?
I opened in June, 2020(!!!!!!), right as Massachusetts began easing off its shelter-in-place orders. It has always been a dream of mine to own and operate a retail shop; I love the process of culling through collections to curate what I feel to be the “stand out” pieces that will appeal to my customer base. I also thrive on in-person interaction and customer service, which really cannot be replicated with online shopping (though I do realize online has its place and value, too!). Mostly, I wanted to create an inclusive and fun loving environment for parents and children that will hopefully grow to be viewed as a true asset to our community.
What do you love most about your job?
Selecting products for the shop and interacting with customers!
What’s your favorite Tea piece(s) this season?
The Sherpa Trucker Jacket, Rainbow Mountain Ruffle Hem Swing Dress, Road Trip Graphic Tee, and Printed Baby Joggers!
What is your favorite Tea destination?
Greece!
What is your next dream travel destination?
Morocco!
What shopping advice would you give to your customers this season?
Shop small when at all possible and make comfortable selections for children’s apparel that are still fun and tidy!
You can support Brook and Main at shopbrookandmain.com and follow them on Instagram @shopbrookandmain.
My Urban Toddler
Where are you located?
Ann Arbor, MI
When did you open your store and why did you want to open a retail store?
I opened in 2006 after recognizing the need for a different type of retail store, one focused on fashionable yet tasteful kids clothing and accessories. I believed there existed a market gap for “destination shopping,” or the desire for a consumer to discover, evaluate and purchase in-person specialty and more unique items for themselves and family members. I dreamed of developing a neighborhood gathering spot where customers could both enjoy shopping and find many well-curated products and clothing for the newborn to age 12 set.
What do you love most about your job?
Staying connected with my community by providing a way to give joy.
What’s your favorite Tea piece(s) this season?
Knit sweater overall dress – feels very nostalgic!
What is your favorite Tea destination?
Peru!
What is your next dream travel destination?
Hawaii
What shopping advice would you give to your customers this season?
Find joy in everything.
You can support My Urban Toddler at myurbantoddler.com and follow them on Instagram @myurbantoddler.
Itty Bitty Bella
Where are you located?
Collierville, Tennessee
When did you open your store and why did you want to open a retail store?
Our family just celebrated our 1 year anniversary of owning Itty Bitty Bella! It has definitely been a whirlwind of a year, but it has always been a dream of ours to own a retail store and it has been SO worth it.
What do you love most about your job?
Getting the opportunity to meet all of our Registered Moms, their friends and family has been the best part of the job for sure! We have been beyond blessed with our Itty Bitty Community, whether they be near or far.
What’s your favorite Tea piece(s) this season?
The Sherpa Trucker Jacket. It is the COOLEST (but also the warmest)!
What is your favorite Tea destination?
Egypt
What is your next dream travel destination?
Egypt!
What shopping advice would you give to your customers this season?
Go for comfort for your kiddos! They can be stylish but cozy too.
You can support Itty Bitty Bella at shopittybittybella.com and follow them on Instagram @shopittybittybella.
Mockingbird Baby & Kids
Where are you located?
Charlestown, MA
When did you open your store and why did you want to open a retail store?
Mockingbird Baby & Kids opened on March 29, 2019. After years in corporate life, I saw an opportunity to be more engaged with my girls and wanted a way to give back to the neighborhood. My girls now come to work with me, I’ve had the pleasure of meeting neighbors, and have been able to partner with our local community center on backpack, hat and mitten drives.
What do you love most about your job?
Knowing so many people in my community and watching their families grow.
What’s your favorite Tea piece(s) this season?
The Montana Printed Popover… can I make a plea for adult sizes??
What is your favorite Tea destination?
Portugal! My girlfriends and I did a road trip through Portugal in 2008 and I long for the day I can return.
What is your next dream travel destination?
London. I used to live there and can’t wait to introduce my daughters to everything I loved about London… and take them on a hunt for Mary Poppins, Peppa and Paddington!
What shopping advice would you give to your customers this season?
Comfort is key! We’re believers in all day pajamas, owning too many sweatshirts, and wearing leggings with dresses because no one wants to lose their twirl 🙂
You can support Mockingbird Baby & Kids at mockingbirdbabyandkids.com and follow them on Instagram @mockingbirdbabyandkids.
Fiddlesticks
Where are you located?
San Francisco, CA
When did you open your store and why did you want to open a retail store?
I opened in 2003 and was one of the first who carried Tea Collection. I opened a retail store because in my heart of hearts, it’s what I had always wanted to do and ultimately be: a retail store owner.
What do you love most about your job?
My favorite thing about my job is being the buyer. I love putting together themes and merchandising different collections together. Ultimately, collections have a trend and if you plan it right, they can all come together and make a wonderful story.
What’s your favorite Tea piece(s) this season?
That’s tough, but easy to say that we always love the pieces that easily mix and match together to make great outfits. We adore a coordinated family! We love how easy it is to work with families to coordinate photoshoots with the patterns and colors that Tea Collection offers.
What is your favorite Tea destination?
Japan. I feel as though that’s where Tea Collection started and where its roots took hold.
What is your next dream travel destination?
Italy. We visited 2 years ago as a family and fell in love. 2020 has made me think maybe you don’t need to always go to new places. Maybe you revisit those you have loved and see them again through a different lens.
What shopping advice would you give to your customers this season?
It’s tough to give anyone advice right now in the constant changing pandemic world we live in, but if there were just one, it would be go with your heart and get what you love. If there is a style or print you love, go for it. We need moments of happiness, and in shopping for your littles, order up the happiness!
You can support Fiddlesticks at shopfiddlesticks.com and follow them on Instagram @fiddlesticks_sf.
Want to support more boutiques who carry Tea? See our Store Locator to find a retailer near you.
