Business & Tech
Lumpy Bunny Digs Into Kids Fashion
In the first in a 10-part series, Patch highlights an El Paseo children's store, whose owner believes quality and fashion sense are mandatory in all children's wardrobes.
The Lumpy Bunny has sought to fill a gap in the clothing market over the past several years: fashion for children.
The El Paseo store features children’s clothing more suited for special occasions, as well as for kids that have become more fashion conscious and unsatisfied with the choices at the mass-market retailers.
Patti Scalero, who is the owner of , had an extensive career in the fashion industry before retiring to the desert. She said she noticed that the selection of clothing offered for children was more functional than stylish.
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That combination of fashion experience and a market for fashionable clothes for kids is what inspired her to open the business.
"Seventy to 80 percent of a kids' wardrobe are things to wear to school, things to wear to play in, and things to wear to the park, “ Patti said. “But then there are birthday parties and weddings and Christmas, and school pictures."
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She added that girls are developing a fashion sense at a younger age.
Though young girls are more fashion conscious than boys of similar age, Patti said she keeps her inventory at about a 60/40 mix of girls to boys clothes. She notes that most stores keep closer to an 80/20 ratio.
Despite having what seems to be "must have" items for any family with children, Patti estimates that only ten percent of her customers are full-time desert residents. She believes that the vast majority of her shoppers are the seasonal residents and tourists looking for something unique for their children or grandchildren.
Patti notes that another draw of The Lumpy Bunny is the overall selection. Along with clothing and shoes, the store also features educational toys for youngsters.
“A lot of the stores don’t carry the toys, they don’t carry the extensive shoe inventory that we have. They don’t carry as much in the way of boys type clothing as we do," she told Patch. “We have an extensive layette department so anytime of the year, you can find a gift for a newborn, or a 0-12 months. I don’t think you find that anywhere else but here.”
The Lumpy Bunny underwent an expansion over the summer, not only adding more space, but new product lines, including shoes and more educational toys, which can make a good holiday gift.
Tomorrow: Check in for the second in this 10-part series on small businesses that have an interesting story to share.
