Planting seeds for the future

New business takes maternity retailing in a new direction.New business owner Susan Linn has a vision for her store.

“I try to plant the seeds in peoples’ minds that maybe there is a better, healthier way,” she said.

Linn’s downtown Laguna store, Seeds of the Earth, which she describes as an “organic maternity baby boutique,” sells baby clothes, maternity clothes and accessories. It also features a resource center where people can educate themselves about childbirth and motherhood.

“I knew when I first came up with the idea that I wanted the store to be interactive,” Linn said. “So people don’t just come in and buy something -- they come in and interact and get the information and spread the word. The information center that I have here is to help people educate themselves, to broaden their horizons.”

Among the noninformative things Linn has to offer are diaper bags, toys, salves for stretch marks, baby slings, blankets and reusable cloth diapers. Most of her merchandise, though not all, is imported.

“I get things from vendors all over -- from overseas like Holland, the Netherlands, Sweden. And I get them from people who hand-make things -- from Mexico, and local people too. I want to support anybody who’s local.”

Linn grew up in North Carolina. She came to California to escape Charlotte, which was a small town at the time.

After studying art at Cal State Long Beach and the Laguna College of Art and Design, she wanted to start her own business, but “all of the art galleries have a lot of down time, a lot of waiting around” that she didn’t want to deal with.

A friend suggested she sell maternity clothing, so she visited other stores and “was just bummed out at most maternity [clothing] options, because women still want to look good and look beautiful,” but the clothes she saw wouldn’t allow that.

The store is decorated with rustic wood furnishings and candles, and there is a children’s play tent labeled “haunted house” in the back. The store looks more like the den of a proud collector than a place of business.

“I wanted to give the place a cozy, home-like look,” Linn said. “I had another location in South Laguna on PCH, but it was a box without much foot traffic, and I hated it.”

For more information on Seeds of the Earth, visit the soon-to-be operational website, www.seedsoftheearth.com. 20051028iozu5sknDON LEACH / COASTLINE PILOT(LA)Owner Susan Shinn stands in front of some of the many items for sale at her new downtown Laguna Beach store, Seeds of the Earth.