retail roundup

Catherine Eberhard

Babies and small children grow so fast and are constantly in need of

new clothing. Two Huntington Beach businesses can help you dress your

child beautifully, whether you are on a budget or in the mood to splurge.

Ladybugs and Inchworms is a brand new children’s boutique near Main

Street in Downtown Huntington Beach.

Owner Lisa Stewart, 35, has only been in business since Sept. 20. A

mother of three young children herself, Stewart wanted to open a store of

high quality fashionable merchandise similar to what she would purchase

for her own kids.

“I am very picky about what I carry in the store,” Stewart said. “All

the clothes are specialty brand names. You won’t see any of them in

department stores.”

Ladybugs and Inchworms is a cheery store with bright yellow walls and

clothes, toys and accessories displayed everywhere. It specializes in

children’s clothing, gifts and accessories from newborn to age seven. At

Ladybugs and Inchworms there is a variety of items for sale from blankets

to baby care products to educational toys.

Stewart considers herself loyal and devoted to the Downtown Huntington

Beach area. Her father was born and raised there and so was she. She is

continuing the family tradition by living with her husband in the

Downtown area and raising their three small children there.

“I would like Downtown Huntington Beach to develop into a more

family-oriented area,” she told me. “Currently there are so many bars and

restaurants, but not enough shops for children and their parents.”

Stewart prides herself on carrying top-of-the-line baby and children’s

clothing and accessories, and she has several exclusive brand names of

merchandise for sale like Baby Lulu and Silky.

However, not everything in Ladybugs and Inchworms comes with a high

price tag. There are several items that are discounted and a beautiful

gift basket was on display that included a blanket, hat, booties and bib

all for only $16.00.

Stewart is currently offering all customers free gift wrapping for

anything they purchase in the shop. She is also planning on holding craft

classes and “Story Time” book readings for children. A corner of the

store already serves as a play area for kids while their parents shop. In

addition, Santa Claus will be making an appearance in Ladybugs and

Inchworms during December.

Ladybugs and Inchworms is at 412 Olive Ave. between Main and 5th

streets. The store is next to Coldstone Creamery in Plaza Almeria.

Information: (714) 374-7260.

If you are on a tight budget in your household, or perhaps just want

to make some extra cash, Children’s Orchard could be the store for you.

Specializing in gently used children’s clothing and merchandise,

Children’s Orchard sells clothing and accessories at extremely low

prices. Children’s Orchard also pays cash for any clothing or toys your

child may have outgrown that are in good condition.

Owner, Lori Nguyen, 37, recently bought the Huntington Beach store on

July 1. She has owned the Fountain Valley Children’s Orchard store for

five years.

“Children’s clothes are so expensive and they outgrow them so fast,”

Nguyen said. “My kids wear all used clothes from the store, but no one

can tell since all the clothes are in such good condition. It saves me a

fortune,” she said.

Not all of Children’s Orchard’s merchandise is used, about 20% of the

stock is brand new clothing that is discounted.

Besides clothing, Children’s Orchard carries baby monitors, cribs,

bedding, plush toys, books and videos. It carries clothing in sizes 0-14,

which will fit newborns to children about 12. Currently, it has 50% off

racks for girls and boys in sizes 7-12. The merchandise available changes

daily since Nguyen is constantly meeting with new customers to buy its

clothing.

Grandparents who would like to spoil their grandchildren by buying

them some clothes or toys can receive an additional 10% off at Children’s

Orchard every Tuesday. A large selection of fancy holiday dresses and

shoes for boys and girls are on sale right now and a clearance sale, just

in time for Christmas, will be going on at Children’s Orchard on Dec.

12-24.

Perhaps you have some barely used baby outfits in the closet that you

would like to sell for some instant cash. Nguyen sees approximately

250-300 people per week who want to sell their used children’s clothing

or baby equipment. She carefully inspects the clothing and then makes the

customer an offer. If you would like to set up an appointment to get some

quick cash for some shoes or clothing your child has outgrown, you can

call Nguyen at (714) 842-5209.

To learn more about buying and selling used baby or children’s

clothing, you can visit Children’s Orchard at 7171 Warner Ave., Suite C,

on the corner of Goldenwest Street and Warner Avenue.* CATHERINE EBERHARD

is a Huntington Beach resident and her column focuses on local

businesses. If you have items for Retail Roundup, e-mail them to

RetailRoundup@aol.com or fax to (714) 965-7174.