I stopped by Bootyland, the hip children’s clothing and toy boutique which moved from Capitol Hill into the former slot of Paron’s Closet in Wallingford Center. Jordan writes:
Hopefully, they’ll do better than Paron’s Closet (http://www.wallyhood.org/2013/07/parons-closet-closing-notes/) and Izilla Toys (http://www.wallyhood.org/2011/10/izilla-toys-closing/), the latter of which made a similar move from Capitol Hill to Wallingford Center, where it discovered the hard way that Wallingford Center’s organic foot traffic is fairly sparse.
Although their opening was March 4th, they weren’t quite ready for show time. I was able to see their merchandise and speak to the owner nonetheless. What I saw looked good. There is a good selection of baby and kid hipster clothing. When I say hipster I’m talking about plenty of tees and tote bags with Portlandia birds on them. You’ll pay for the fashion though. One particularly cute tee was $30.
Unlike Paron’s or the much beloved Kids on 45th, Bootyland sells mostly new stuff. I asked owner Ellie Cassidy if they ever offered used items. She said they will have some vintage items but that accounts for less than 5% of what they do. They do not do consignment. There is a small selection of high quality wooden toys. Other items are lunch bags, diaper covers, baby carriers, hats and shoes.
According to Ellie, Bootyland strives to offer local products when possible. Many of the fabrics are organic. They hope their toy selection encourages open-play and creativity.
The space they are in now is temporary until they move, with the help of moving and packing services, into the space which was formerly the party section of Trophy Party and Cupcakes.
Can Wallingford sustain two children clothing stores so close to each other? Personally, I don’t think there is too much crossover. Kids on 45th is my favorite go-to store for my kids primarily because I am all about buying used items. I also have consigned there. Bootyland appears to be offering a higher-end product. They have clothes I wouldn’t necessarily buy for my own kids because of the price, but clothes that I would absolutely buy as gifts. There may be a little bit of cross-over with the new toys they sell, but not much. Although it should be noted that Kids on 45th has quite a big selection of new toys and new clothes in addition to their used items.
As to Jordan’s concern that Wallingford Center doesn’t get too much foot traffic; it certainly has my foot traffic. Probably the only reason I shop at Tweedy & Popp is because I think of something I need when I am out and about. With any planning, I usually go to Stoneway Hardware with my car.
Many commenters have written that parking is the key to a successful business. If so all the businesses at Wallingford Center should be successful since it’s one of the few places on 45th with plenty of parking.
Photo by Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren
Welcome to Wallingford, Bootyland. Thanks for the kind review Daranee.
We at Yazdi also welcome Bootyland into the Wallingford Center with open arms! I do agree that Wallingford can successfully support 2 children’s clothing stores, as their products are for the most part different and, as such, may actually promote each other’s presence. As to foot traffic in the building, we have been a highly successful retailer in Wallingford Center for almost 30 years now. There have been ups & downs, vacancies aplenty, as unsuccessful businesses come and go. But the overall success of each business has depended on their viability as a good business model, and there are a number of them alive & well in the Center. The vacancies we have now are a result of Trophy Cupcake relocating their offices, which overall will be a great thing, as the spaces once closed for offices are being opened up for retailers again. Several other parties are also interested in the newly opened spaces and we hope to have even more new shops in the near future. It is true that parking is a huge plus & our customers have benefitted, as have we, from that convenience over the years. Every year we draw more & more people to the Wallingford Center. We are always grateful for the support of the community towards this unique ‘neighborhood shopping center in the old school building’ and are looking forward to Bootyland coming to rest in her great new space next month!
WELCOME Bootyland! I have checked out your store numerous times and am always impressed by your stylin inventory. Li’l Klippers has been waiting for years to have a store move in that can cross traffic our clientele. GREAT space, kids haircuts, new outfit and then delious cupcakes…..win win win
Spam cleanup on comment 4. Thanks!
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