The Biz: The Grapevine

Veteran retailer, Anna Beth Goodman, launches Pippen Lane Collection, a line of fun, funky playwear and dresses with New Orleans flair. Driven by her customers’ needs and a desire to express the charm and personality of her 8,000-square-foot Pippen Lane boutique, Goodman has developed a buyer-friendly line that’s cheerful and appealing in layette through infant for boys and up to size 12 for girls. To ensure its success, Goodman has assembled an elite group of children’s wear experts to manage every aspect of the business from production to sales to customer service.

Summertime is filled with opportunities to enjoy the warm weather, and what better place to take advantage of these beautiful days than at the beach? Parents know that choosing the right swimwear for their kids is part of the summertime experience, but finding that perfect set of swim trunks or cute bathing suit isn’t always as easy as it seems. Chichanella Bella presents swim season options in a variety of styles. The Delaware-based company is the brainchild of Cara Lewis, a designer who was inspired by the delicate, feminine look of clothing from her grandmother’s era.

Parents won’t want to bronze Lil Tootsies by Santa Barbara Design Studio – they are already a work of art! Lil Tootsies are hand-painted twists on the typical high-top infant shoe. Created by artist Phyllis Holly, with special ribbons and laces, these colorful shoes aren’t made for walking. They are feats of fancy for the pre-walkers. The Lil Tootsies slogan says it all: “Cute Baby, Cute Feet.” Shopping for items to include for the holidays and year-round baby showers and welcome gifts? These Lil Tootsies make treasured baby gifts with lots of impulse-buy appeal.

“High-waters” sometimes means the creek is rising. In a kid’s world, however, it is an age-old tease that a child’s pant legs are too short — hardly an uncommon occurrence, since youngsters grow so fast! Generally, parents solve the high-water problem with one of two common solutions: 1.) Let down the hem. 2.) Buy new pants. But now, there’s a third solution that’s an uncommon innovation: Kuff-Its, from The Buti-Bag Company. Kuff-Its are a patent-pending solution that eliminate high-water taunts, keeping kids covered and cute.