 Meet
Austin Baby Store !
Austin Baby Store is a full service community resource center stocked
with all natural and locally produced maternity and baby products.
“Our focus is letting new parents and families of young children
know that there is support for them in the community,” says co-owner
Erin Sheppard.
Sheppard got into the baby products business shortly after the birth
of her son. Originally an English as a second language teacher, Sheppard
had every intention of returning to work after giving birth. However,
like many new mothers she fell in love. After discussing it with her husband,
Sheppard decided that she didn’t want to miss one minute of time
with her precious little one. Keenly aware of the fact that her family
still needed her income, she began selling Fuzzy Buns cloth diapers from
her home. Since she was already using the diapers, she knew the quality
of the product so it was easy for her to promote. Sheppard soon realized
that there were many other families in Austin looking to use cloth diapers,
but were either unsure how to use them or unable to find them. She partnered
with Angela Colbert and Austin Baby Store was born. The store first opened
its doors in February, 2007 on Koenig Lane.
“Our first store was little more than a room,” says Sheppard.
“We had the diapers and accompanying supplied and also started cloth
diapering classes. Soon families started asking about local and natural
products and it was the natural next step to stock and sell these products.”
Austin Baby Store grew quickly
and soon the partners were looking for a larger venue. The new store,
which opened on August 31st, is located at 505 W. Mary Street in south
Austin (on the corner of Mary and South 1st St, just south of the school
for the deaf). It’s a beautifully bright open space with a children’s
play area, several selections of baby slings, natural and organic baby
bath products, maternity and nursing bras, books, CDs and DVD’s
and non-toxic cleaning products. Sheppard and Colbert hope to grow the
business to offer a variety of parenting and family wellness classes presented
by local experts. To date, they host classes Gardening with your Toddler
and Family Budgeting.
“We’re really pleased with the new location and the new
offerings,” says Sheppard. “We’re really excited to
be able to serve families in this way.”
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