Name says it all at family-owned Baby-2-Teen
By Jane Kitchen -- Kids Today, 8/1/2005
Manassas, Va.— This 28,000-square-foot warehouse store draws customers from all over the D.C. metro area, mostly by word of mouth. With very little advertising, Baby-2-Teen brings customers in to what owner Susie Woomer calls a "destination store" with a wide range of furniture and bedding styles, along with gear, accessories and baby products.
"If you bring in quality, they'll recognize it," said Woomer. "You need a mixture of everything."
Although Woomer considers herself primarily in the furniture and accessories business, a variety of strollers and carseats are available, and items from companies such as Baby Björn, Mustela, Tiny Love and Prince Lionheart round out the mix in this NINFRA store.
Baby-2-Teen has been in this Manassas warehouse location for 15 years, but the family-owned business has been around for 21 years. "We started smaller," explained Woomer. Today, there are two Baby-2-Teen stores in the Washington metro area; a second store in Fredericksburg, Va., is around 12,000 square feet.
Infant furniture vendors include Chanderic, Young America, Pali, Baby's Dream, Legacy, EG, A.P. Inds., Morigeau-Lepine and Berg, with youth offerings from companies such as Young America, University Loft, Barn Door, Flexa and A.P. Inds. showcased as well. An area featuring A.P. Inds. includes signage for the manufacturer, and cribs and youth beds displayed side-by-side illustrates how the pieces can grow over a child's lifetime.
Baby-2-Teen features bedding from Cotton Tale, Brandee Danielle, Kimberly Grant and Luv Stuff, and Woomer said the store does a good bit of business with custom orders — something that sets her apart from other area juvenile stores. Customer service, knowledgeable employees and follow-through care are also pluses that keep customers raving.
Lately, Woomer said she has seen consumers get a lot more daring when it comes to nursery décor, venturing into black furniture, brighter colors and contemporary, more sophisticated styles. Whatever their tastes, they're sure to find something to please them.
Bedding from Slumber Girls gives this EG furniture tween appeal.
Top: This dramatic red crib from A.P. Inds. adds flair on the showroom floor.
Bottom: Poodles in pink, black and white add a hint of sophistication to this spindle crib.
