Gift-givers find the unique at Mulberry Road
Staff -- Kids Today, 7/1/2005
Boston— After five years in business, this Beacon Hill boutique has a steady stream of customers shopping for unique gifts and baby products. Named "Best place for baby accessories" in Best of Boston, the store is definitely a gift shop, said owner Tracey Davidow, rather than a mom store. Still, Mulberry Road has its regular customers, and Davidow makes sure everyone feels welcome.
On a Thursday afternoon, the store was packed with customers "oohing" and "aahing" over the cute new additions to layette from Zutano, Tea and Kissy Kissy. One customer placed a special order for one of Davidow's best-selling items, custom-screened baby t-shirts with vintage record album covers. This customer was looking for a Jimmy Buffett version for the star's newest fan; with a retail price of $24, they're not cheap, but boy, what a shower gift for the music-loving parents — and it's something dads can get excited about too. (The best-selling of the best-selling line? A vintage print with Farah Fawcett on a skateboard.)
Mulberry Road also stocks a selection of Moses baskets, as well as linens from companies like Amy Coe and dwellbaby, along with Little Castle rockers. Other products include accessories from Kerri Lee, 3 Marthas and eeBoo; toys from Mamas & Papas; plush from Russ Baby; and a nice selection of classic books such as "Where the Wild Things Are" and "Where the Sidewalk Ends."
Davidow said she has done very little advertising — the Best of Boston mention helps drive customers to her store, as does a Web site and the shop's location in a heavy foot-traffic area. While not a full-line store by any means, customers can still register for special products, and Davidow provides free shipping.
She finds items for her shop at the New York Gift Fair, which she attends several times a year, but Davidow is also looking at perhaps branching out to the All Baby and Child Expo in Las Vegas this September.
Irresistible layette items from companies like Kissy Kissy, Tea and Zutano make great gift items.
Mulberry Road offers a wide selection of Moses baskets.
One of Mulberry Road's hottest sellers is a series of custom-screened baby T-shirts featuring record album covers.
A rocker from Little Castle is displayed, along with various fabric swatches.
This crib not only showcases the linens, but also plush gift items and layette. A rocker from Mamas & Papas completes the look.
