STERLING — Launching a special area focused on the younger set at her downtown store seemed like the next logical, organic step for shop owner Leanne Boudreau.
It’s been almost four years since Boudreau relocated Notown Goods from Westminster to 11 Main St. in January 2021. She said the new baby and kids section, Notown Kids, “was inspired by our customers.”
“We’ve had a lot of requests for baby gifts, and we have a lot of customers with young kids, so we were hoping to work on filling the need for gifts for that age group in the community,” the businesswoman said of the space she officially opened Oct. 11. “We converted our back stockroom into the new section, which took a lot of reorganization of our storage space. Then we built out displays, including our adorable tree centerpiece, attended the largest baby and kids trade show in the country in Dallas, and started setting up.”
Her husband handcrafted the tall, vibrant tree that is the focal point of the woodland-inspired kids room “filled with cuteness,” Boudreau announced on social media. Customers can peruse and shop a wide variety of high-quality items geared toward children ages newborn to 10-plus such as clothing, books, stuffed animals and “toys galore.”
“We have everything from heirloom quality baby gifts to unique inexpensive gifts for kids’ birthdays,” Boudreau included in the announcement.
She said it was important to her to cater to customers across the spectrum.
“We really wanted to strike a balance between organic, sustainable, and eco-friendly items while still offering affordable gifts for kids,” she said. “For babies we have board books, baby clothes, bibs, teethers, socks, baby shoes, hats, headbands, blankets, toys and cosmetics. For kids we have picture books, plush toys, puzzles, DIY kits, art supplies, origami, role play toys, and playhouses and kitchens. We also have greeting cards for new babies, birthdays, and milestones like dedications, christenings and first communion.”
The main area of her shop carries the work of more than 150 professional artists, artisans and apothecaries. All items such as pottery, textiles, woodworking, jewelry, blown glass, stained glass, paintings, bath and body, candles, stationery, pillows, specialty foods, home goods, ornaments, seasonal décor, and more are all made in the U.S., with a focus on the work of New England craftspeople.
A grand opening celebration held Oct. 14 offered customers the chance to check out the new kids area. Boudreau said that since it opened, “the response has been so much greater than we were expecting, which has been really exciting.”
Now that Notown Kids is open, she said, “It’s full speed ahead into the holiday season.” The holiday collection launched Nov. 1, and a holiday open house Nov. 11 featured this year’s signature cocktail: Ski Season Sangria, a winter sangria with flavors of orange, cranberry, cinnamon, and cloves.
For Small Business Weekend, celebrating Small Business Saturday all weekend long, Notown Goods will offer a free gift with $15 and more purchase, Friday, Nov. 24, through Sunday, Nov. 26. Guests can also enter to win a holiday raffle basket.
Boudreau said it means the world to her to have people continuing to support her small business.
“It’s been wonderful being part of the community in Sterling, and we could not do it without the support of our customers.”
For more information visit notowngoods.com and follow Notown Goods on Facebook (facebook.com/notownsterling) and Instagram (instagram.com/notownsterling).
