It’s no surprise to any of the city’s residents that Maple Grove is a great place to raise a family; in fact, almost 50 percent of Maple Grove’s households have children living at home. With all that familial emphasis comes some majorly great shopping for the tots in your life. Read on for highlights of the local baby shopping scene.
Edelweiss Baby
With its pale yellow walls, white cabinetry, black and white photographs, grand chandeliers, classical music and shelves filled with countless “awww”-inducing items, this upscale baby boutique is an absolute haven for moms. Edelweiss Baby boutique is the love child of Heather Sommers, who, ironically, over the course of nine months took the store from conception to open doors in April of 2008. After having two twin daughters, Kerry and Clare, and not being able to find cute, unique, high-quality clothing at a decent price in the local market, Sommers got the yearning to open the retail spot. Realizing this niche, Sommers stepped away from her legal financial services job downtown and with the help of her accountant husband Alan and retail expert and store manager Cheri, got the locally-owned-and-operated business up and running.
Tucked in The Fountains at Arbor Lakes, Edelweiss Baby seeks to be a one-stop shop for moms—or those shopping for them—selling everything from adorable clothes and accessories, to bath products, blankets and books for premies and tots up to 24 months. New to the store are brightly colored, graphic-print Marimekko jumpers by Sweet Potato, as well as Safe Starter stainless steel, BPA-free bottles. The store stocks a wealth of phenomenally soft clothes, sleepwear and toys, such as the Swaddle Designs sleep sack (perfect for the baby that kicks blankets off), Jelly Cat stuffed animals, and Kicky Pants bamboo attire. Customers are also clamoring for Noodle and Boo luxury skin care products, seasonally-appropriate hand-knit cardigans by 2H Knits and nordic print sweaters by Baltic Inspiration.
Join the Edelweiss Baby mailing list to be the first to find out about monthly specials and sales, and follow them on Facebook and Twitter for surprise “last minute” deals.
Little Feet Children's Shoes
As another locally owned and operated baby shopping gem of The Fountains complex, Little Feet Children's Shoes prides itself on being a full-service shoe store with an old-fashioned philosophy. Prior to opening the doors to her bright little kids shoe shop, buyer and manager Carisa Feger worked for years as a buyer and manager for the Ridgedale Stride Rite store. With a lot of experience, ideas and help from her family—including children Olivia and Brooks as inspiration—Feger launched Little Feet in November 2006.
As customers quickly come to learn, Little Feet is obsessed with shoes. Its full-service mentality means that customers get personalized recommendations and vast amounts of expertise about how to fit babies’ feet. The store’s selection of pre-walking shoes is massive, featuring darling pairs from PediPed, See Kai Run, and Bobux. Ever popular are miniature versions of grown-up shoes, like the exclusive tan-toned baby Uggs, winter-appropriate fleece-lined Crocs, and Minnetonka Moccasins.
Looking to save a little cash while properly heeling the tykes? Be sure not to miss Maple Grove’s Santa’s Workshop event in November 28, where attendees receive a 25 percent-off coupon to Little Feet.
Babies “R” Us
Superstore Babies “R” Us offers positively everything your tot would need with a wide selection of cribs and furniture, strollers, car seats, formula, diapers, bedding, toys and clothes. Plus, creating a baby registry couldn’t be easier with the company’s in-store and online systems.
As you’re browsing the numerous aisles, be sure not to miss the store’s vast selection of hi-tech video baby monitors, such as those by Summer or Safety First. Other necessities include top-of-the-line strollers by Bertini and Graco, as well as Hot Slings and Side Riders for comfortably carrying your newborn.
Keep your eyes peeled to in-store flyers and online ads for Babies “R” Us monthly events, such as registry, breast feeding, and car seat safety workshops. And should you happen to have brought your baby shopping with you, make a stop through the store’s Kiddie Kandids portrait studio.
Once Upon a Child
Husband and wife Dawn and Ron Rehbein have been operating the Maple Grove second-hand shop Once Upon a Child for 16 years, and this whole recession thing has only re-enforced the notion that parents need a convenient way to get quality merchandise at affordable prices.
Browse through racks of infant clothing and shoes, as well as toys and books. The shop always offers a selection of baby furniture such as strollers and high chairs at reduced prices. Seasonal items such as snow boots, Halloween costumes and sandals always prove a smart second-hand buy for your quickly-growing babe.
Don’t miss Once Upon a Child’s giant clearance sale starting in December. Of course, the place with that catchy jingle also buys your furniture, clothing and toys once your child has outgrown it, giving you back some money to put in your cherub’s nest egg.
