I want to open a baby store - best areas?
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Anonymous
| As someone who grew up here, I can tell you this: it's amazing how many young families have moved back to the city and chosen to raise kids in neighborhoods that would have been unthinkable just 4-5 years ago. But that revitalization has been fueled by people who choose to open businesses here. So I salute you for your decision to invest in this city and please ignore the nay-sayers in earlier posts. It's your idea and your business so go for it. I personally live in Cleveland Park and would love to have something like that nearby. No stores like that within walkable distance from me. If SAHMs are your main target though, I am not sure there are many here as this seems to be a two-income household kind of area. When I go to the library, it's all just nannies, no moms. |
Anonymous
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I am a SAHM in Dupont and there's nothing within walking distance, except the just closed Kids Closet that sold mostly Carter's stuff at full price (it's always 40% off online). I would have LOVED another option that I could walk to.
But, now I am moving to Courthouse/Clarendon, so I say open it there! There is a big mom's group in north arlington and I've already been inundated withintroductions to friends of friends who are SAHMs there, way more than I knew in DC. It seems like there's enough of a market for more than just that one kids store. There's also a nice shopping area with parking there that probably draws people too - Apple store, Crate and Barrel, I think there's a Pottery Barn. |
Anonymous
Yes!! We need that in Virginia!!!! |
Anonymous
ugh, i would rather shop at Wal-Mart |
Anonymous
Ugh. What a snob. |
Anonymous
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Downtown/Penn Quarter. We have a huge influx of new families in our area (new census data from 2010 shows the highest increase in under 3 population in NW DC.
Plus, you get the tourist population who will stroll the area. Win/win. |
Anonymous
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I went down this road about 6 years ago and wanted to open in my Dupont neighborhood. I looked at Barracks Row as well on Capitol Hill and I also looked for space in Delray VA. Ultimately my business plan indicated that rents would be prohibitive to profit, so I chose to open online. That was disappointing because it was also my dream to open a bricks and mortar store. However, given the economic downturn that followed soon after, I am glad I went that route!
For all the parents who have chimed in that they would like a DuPont Circle store, let me add that you can always come by and pick up anything we have online  our Web address is http://www.cattiwampus.com
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Anonymous
| Mosaic District in Fairfax. There's already one store there, forget the name. |
Anonymous
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1. Do you think a moderately priced baby store that carries high-end, unique, safe baby products imported from Europe (gear, toys, organic cotton clothes, leather shoes, etc) would be more successful in an urban/walkable area or in a suburban/drive-to-and-park area?
I wouldn't bother going into an urban/walkable area to get baby stuff you only have a few months. Target, Buy Buy Baby, Walmart, etc. are good enough. The only stuff I want from Europe is a car seat. 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... There are many stores. 3. If the store is eventually expanded to include classes, toy rentals (toy library) would that be enough of an incentive for you to visit the store, even if you don't live close to it? Toy rental - get them on clearance and they are cheaper than renting. There are tons of kids classes so you'd have to do something above and beyond to get me to come. |
Anonymous
| Logan Circle! Logan Circle! Please!!! |
Anonymous
I guess that's the difference, in the suburbs you will settle for Walmart and "good enough" - I chose to not live in a cookie cutter house and try to have more unique shopping experiences. |
Anonymous
| Unique is relative. I am not worried about clothing that is will only last a few months or toys. Not everyone lives in a cookie cutter house not needs unique shopping experiences. I'd rather spend the time with my children than shop. I have many years to shop when they are older. I've bought fancy stuff and the only thing I see to spend a lot of money on is good car seats and a good crib as those are safety issues. |
Anonymous
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I'd love more options for high-quality wooden toys made in Europe and US. Just can't buy the made in Asia junk, anymore. Even Kinder Haus now has mostly made in China. Very disappointing.
Maybe parents need more education about the difference? |
Anonymous
| I'd vote for Cleveland park/woodley park so you get some of the Bethesda/Chevy chase traffic as well. I also agree with cap hill, but as a Bethesda mom, I wouldn't travel for a baby store... |
Anonymous
You're going to rep only one company? Plenty of people in DC have no issues with driving to Gaithersburg to Great Beginnings -- a store where you can buy almost anything baby related all at one time. I imagine that is the case with the Chantilly location as well. One of the things that makes Great beginnings so appealing is the different brands they offer. While they clearly have upscale brands, you can get the Peg Perego high chair, the Uppa stroller, the Britax carseat and the Pali crib all in one place. I have liked different brands for different products. I can't imagine having such brand loyalty. |