I want to open a baby store - best areas?

[Anonymous]

2. What would you say is the best area within to DC for something like that? (For example Georgetown is great, but expensive; Columbia Heights is booming, but lacks significant number of young families, etc) Please throw some thoughts from your experience...

The store already exists in Georgetown--three of them, in fact. Dawn Price Baby, which also has a location on the Hill, and Yiro/Tugooh, which also has a location in Bethesda. And are you kidding about there not being a significant number of young families in Columbia Heights?

I know you're just starting the process, but you really don't have a clue about this city.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For the most bang for your buck, I would say Capitol Hill. Lots of SAHM, young families, young couples that will probably start families soon. And property values are still relatively reasonable. Eastern Market is BOOMING with families! Lots of pregnant ladies all over the place.

Dupont is way too expensive, and not as many families.

Really, there are lots of SAHMs in Capitol Hill?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For the most bang for your buck, I would say Capitol Hill. Lots of SAHM, young families, young couples that will probably start families soon. And property values are still relatively reasonable. Eastern Market is BOOMING with families! Lots of pregnant ladies all over the place.

Dupont is way too expensive, and not as many families.

Really, there are lots of SAHMs in Capitol Hill?

Oh god yes!!!

[Anonymous]

Look at Old Town Alexandria. There are a ton of families there, and plenty of SAHMs. The competition is Pink and Brown, which spends a lot of its retail space on clothing and has a particular focus on eco-friendly toys, and Why Not? near the river, but the shop is so small, that you can't even fit a stroller into it. Old Town is begging for a good baby gear store.

[Anonymous]

Are there really so many more urban SAHMs in Boston? I would have definitely guessed the opposite.

[Anonymous]

Please say you are going to open a Magic Beans in this area!

[Anonymous]

Don't forget Daisy baby in Bethesda, and Giggle in Friendship Heights.

Personally, while I think these are cute stores to browse in while pregnant and/or buying a shower gift, I never actually buy anything in them for my child (now 2.5). It is just so expensive and kids go through stuff (clothes, toys) so quickly. I would never spend that kind of money now.

[Anonymous]

I would love a store anywhere in NW DC that had a wide selection of cloth diapers. FYI.

[Anonymous]

Don't underestimate the number of young families in Columbia Heights and, especially, the number of young families in Petworth. By my count there have been eight babies born on my block in North Petworth in the last year. I think you would do really well with a boutique on 11th street; there are already kid friendly restaurants (the Coupe, Meridian Pint, etc), Bloombars, and a playground right there. It would be a nice alternative to Target.

[Anonymous]

Yes, I love to browse in these boutiquey stores and then go spend 75% less on something almost as cute from Target.

[Anonymous]

There's already a great toy/kids/baby store in Clarendon -- Kinder Haus.

[Anonymous]

Everyone is wrong. petworth is where you want to be! Cap Hill already has a baby store. Petworth is the next fastest growing area of young upscale but very hip families. Friendship heights and cap hill are way more uptight.

[Anonymous]

OP here - thank you all for the feedback so far, it's really helpful!
Let me clarify, competition is not the issue here, because the concept of this store will be slightly different from the places mentioned with more variety and additional services. The plan is for me to be the US distributor of the baby company, so prices will be lower.

[Anonymous]

mosiac district

[Anonymous]

Hyattsville. Up and coming, artsy, lots of families with older kids, babies, and about to have kids. Lots of retail available. Looking for business to keep with the city's character.