SPROUTS
Location:
Hours of Business:
Phone:
Web Address:
#202-536 Herald Street
Monday – Saturday 10-5 pm
388-9525
http://www.sproutskid.com
Chosen for:
Unique & fun children's boutique
Quality clothing, toys, & new-mom supplies
Exceptional customer service & community spirit
Twenty-one people gathered on April 5th and fifty percent of them were first-time Grapeviners! To fool them, Founders led them "down the garden path" of Dragon Alley before looping back to Herald Street and through the open door of SPROUTS.As we trooped to the counter with its "No Whining!" sign and presented our bouquet of balloons to co-owner Shari McCreesh, she quipped, "I don't think it's my birthday!" When we explained our goodwill mission and announced that SPROUTS had been chosen Best-of-the-Bunch for the month, she was thrilled!
Owners Shari McCreesh and Tracy Hull
go way beyond expectation on their
customer service.
Photos by Barbara McDonell and
Harvey Forester
The friendship of owners Shari and Tracy Hull started by chance - a meeting they both feel was fated. Shari’s husband was working at a local motorcycle shop when Tracy’s husband came in and bought a motorbike. Shari's husband then sweetened the deal by inviting Tracy's husband and Tracy for an impromptu dinner party the next night! From this first meeting, Tracy and Shari knew they were soul sisters and would be “forever” friends.
Their family-like relationship took them on many adventures looking for the perfect place to begin their families and a home-based business, including an idea for a yoga/teahouse on the mountain side of their dream property. Seven years and three births later, with the non-manifestation of their dream property plus a lack of unique heirloom-quality products for their own children, Shari and Tracy launched Sprouts on November 16, 2006.
You've probably all got a special child in your lives. Maybe it's your own. Maybe it's your grandchild or great-grandchild, or a niece or nephew. Maybe you don't have children of your own but are God-Mom or Pop to someone else's. And if you don't have a toddler to hang out with, grinning Grapevine guy Harvey said no problem, "You don't need to have kids to enjoy this store!"
Grapeviner Eleni finds entertainment fun in
the "Candy Store" area while mom shops.
The store carries items that are useful, fun, vintage-inspired or heirloom quality. Most toys are made of wood to last a long time, allowing playthings to be passed down the family tree. Because the owners really listen to customers, they've learned that parents want all-natural products.
The rigid sphere of the $10 Snack Bar ball protects snacks from crushing and escaping, making it great for car travel. Older Grapevine moms wished the $6 silicone soother that closes when dropped had been available when their kids were little. We noticed many products manufactured of safe silicone rather than plastic with its potential toxins, as well as Natursutten natural rubber pacifiers from Europe that contain no artificial colour, parabens, PVC or phthalates – plus they are BPA free.
Are you a new mum? Stock includes many must-have items like bath products, classy diaper bags and high-end strollers. Got a nursery that needs decorating? You'll go crazy with room decor options ... bright and funky pictures that any child will love, and furniture and accessories that grow with your child.
... clothes so cute that you'll have difficulty choosing just one outfit
Do you know a child who is scared of the dark? How about a lightning bug flashlight for $15? Although he just looks like a small stuffed animal, he's got a flashlight hidden inside his plush body.
Of specific mention are the Sacred Baby Slings, handmade in Nanaimo. These are reversible, easy to use, and won't hurt your back. Made of one piece of cloth in a pouch style, the slings promote bonding and foster healthy independence as your baby grows ($64).
How about a lightning bug flashlight for a child who's scared of the dark? Planning a special party for your child? Customized invitations are available.
The young-mom owners understand the challenges new parents face and support them by offering good old-fashioned customer service:
- Need assistance getting your stroller up the stairs? Just ring the outside buzzer and someone will help you.
- Still nursing? You're welcome to settle into one of the shop's comfy chairs.
- Bathroom emergency? The kid-friendly washroom offers free diapers and wipes.
- Want tips, kid activity ideas, recipes and in-store product and sales info? Sign up for their e-newsletter!
If you go into Sprouts with children, take them to the back-corner "Candy Shop" with tiny table and chairs, games and toys. They will happily busy themselves there, allowing you to browse the shop without a toddler or two clinging to your legs.
And here's a special deal exclusive to Grapeviners. Just tell Tracy and Shari that The Grapevine sent you and they'll reward you with a 10% discount!
With a mandate to help nurture families and community, Sprouts chooses suppliers that donate products to charitable organizations, thereby supporting the community that helped their own "sprouts" flourish.
Through promotional events they also help raise funds for Victoria charities such as The Mustard Seed and the Queen Alexandra Foundation for Children. Sprouts' recent second annual model search assisted the Artimus Group that supports at-risk teens through educational programs. On May 10th, the Splurge Spring Fling (www.splurgevictoria.com) also benefits Artimus Group. It offers a pampering day off for busy mothers with fashion shows and indie designer clothing and home decor sales, beauty demos and spa services.
If you know someone who's pregnant but doesn't know the sex of her baby, a gift certificate from Sprouts might be the perfect answer. And if you're about to become a new mother, be sure to sign up for their Gift Registry!