Unique Boutiques

FLICKA

Los Angeles

Owner Kristen Sato

In the heart of Hollywood, this 30-year-old destination store carries a variety of clothing styles and irresistible gifts for caregivers and kids.

Flicka carries the nostalgic Rowdy Sprout line.

“For all the local kids going to birthday parties, we are, fortunately, the go-to store. Since we’re located in a trendy and charming part of Los Angeles known as Hancock Park, we serve mostly families in the community and do a huge business in gift sales.

“We make an effort to have something for everybody, so the styles we offer range from preppy, traditional, rock ‘n’ roll, sporty, bohemian and we have recently added some vintage, which is having a real moment right now. Our biggest-selling lines are Rowdy Sprout, Mayoral, Esme, Me & Henry, and Magnetic Me. Los Angeles-based California Vintage has a strong appeal to moms of boys and visiting tourists as many of the graphics include L.A.-inspired images. The Rowdy Sprout rock tees have always been an emotional buy, as parents love to clothe their children in their favorite rock bands. The accessory brand Iscream is popular for birthday gifts for both girls and boys.

“I have noticed more requests lately for precious take-me-home outfits, which I can’t say that I’ve been getting for several years. Another returning trend is Mommy and Me. Brands like Natalie Martin, Pink Chicken and Bella & Nuni have really brought a fresh new take. Pop fidgets have a given way to a whole industry of fidget toys that we can’t seem to keep in stock along with slime, stress balls, and squishes—kids can’t seem to get enough of them.”

Over the Moon

Montclair, NJ

Owner Susan DeGhett

This small but mighty 40-year-old East Coast shop sells a mix of perfectly curated American and global brands along with a thoughtful selection of accessories and gifts.

Butterfly dresses, cute prints and precious dolls and books at Over the Moon.

Susan DeGhett has been the sole owner of Over the Moon, a destination for expectant parents, grandparents and gift givers in Montclair, NJ. This urban-suburban town has experienced an uptick in families from New York City since the pandemic.

DeGett’s attention to detail is evident in her carefully merchandised boutique, which carries sizes 0 to 14 for girls and 0 to 10 for boys. In a rare in-person meeting, DeGett spoke about the shift in what customers are wanting.

“There are now two camps, and I saw it start to happen two years ago. We have a lot of more traditional customers who still want light blue and light pink, but we also have many others  who want non-gender specific colors or something more funky. Many young mothers are looking for oatmeal and shades of tan and ivory. Grandmothers come in and the daughter doesn’t want anything pink. So, I carry both.

“For the traditional customer, Petit Bateau is still a favorite. Oh Baby is a great brand for us – the fabric is so soft and the designs are so fun. For footies, Angel Dear is a big seller. We barely have any left because it sells so well! Pink Chicken and Mayoral also sell well in baby and bigger sizes.

“For trendier choices, I carry Hux Baby from Australia­–their stuff is more funky, cool. Antonella Kids is a line from Peru and I only have two pieces left until fall.

“I just bought Louise Misha from France for the first time, and we pretty much sold out. We reordered and that sold out, too. For hair and jewelry accessories, I carry Rockahula from London, Sparkle Sisters and Barrie Lynn, and knit dolls and rattles from Blah Blah of Peru. Some of the rattles have coordinating books, which make great gifts. We also carry the ballerina dolls from Mon Ami. For dressy clothing, we carry Luna Luna and Tutu du Monde. I picked up a new line for fall, My Little Cozmo from Barcelona.

“The lines that I still buy from when I opened the store, are the ones that really shifted with the changing times and trends.”

Twinkle Twinkle Little One

Chicago & Highland Park, IL

Owner Rachel Glasson

Firmly planted in the Windy City with the right amount of funky town, this full-service baby gear and apparel retailer makes its business a family affair.

Baby gifts galore at the Highland Park outpost.

Rachel Glasson didn’t plan on having her husband work alongside her, but that’s just what happened when he chose to quit his job in corporate America and joined her retail business. Then his mother-in-law wanted in, and the two Glasson teenagers didn’t want to be left out—and it was an opportunity to earn money and getting an early education in working hard. The 2,200 Chicago store, which is “packed but shopable,” sells everything from furniture and high chairs to bedding and books, with hip, au courant clothing lines. The Highland Park store is more of a gift destination. When we spoke, Glasson had just gotten back from personally delivering an order to a customer, a practice she began when she first opened and continues to this day.

“Where we are located, once we start getting spring/summer collections, they start selling immediately—even if it’s snowy and cold outside. People want to think about things that make them happy. So, that means bubbles, fun dresses, rompers, swimsuits. I sell footies all year round from brands Angel Dear, Peregrine, Mish Mish, and PaigeLauren (see her Designer Chat in this issue on page 31).

Well-stocked footies meet customer needs all year long.

“I carry apparel in three directions: neutral colors from brands Rylee + Cru, Quincy Mae and Nora Lee, super funky looks from from Miki Miette, Rowdy Sprout and Tiny Whales; and then the middle ground can go sweet or more funky like Angel Dear. I’m more of a funkier dresser myself, but I appreciate that some of our clientele want neutral colors, so I go outside of my own vision and I’m always trying new things. Part of my strategy has always been to pay attention to my store and my customers and not worry about any other store.

“For baby items, we sell matching blankets and footies from Sara Nonee and the coordinating blankets, hats and bibs from Copper Pearl. We sell a ton of crib sheets, changing pads and blankets through Sugar + Maple because they also do custom, personalized items. Anything Chicago-themed sells like crazy for us—we really like to represent the city. We have a lot of people Google the store and they come from different towns and areas on the weekends. Someone once came from Mexico City and his wife had circled what she wanted online. Hotels on Michigan Avenue recommend the store to their guests, and I don’t even know how that happened!”