Kidstop Children’s Boutique and Stride Rite Bootery will celebrate 35 years in business Saturday. The celebration will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and offer several exclusive deals, complimentary cookies, and a few special guest appearances.
Kidstop was opened in September of 1986 by Vivian and Jim Montgomery, who operated the store at their Fountain Square location until 2016, when they sold it to Jeanne and Greg Clark. Jeanne moved the boutique to its current location in Wesleyan Park Plaza, where she operates it with her daughters Elizabeth Johnson and Cecilia Strawn.
“We are so very thankful and appreciative of our community for supporting us and choosing local for the last 35 years,” Jeanne Clark said. “We find great joy in working with our customers both local and afar to select the perfect gifts or coordinate an entire family for a special event or holiday.”
The boutique offers a “classic” selection of baby and children’s gifts for both boys and girls, as well as custom-fitted shoes. They also have a wide selection of toys, books, and dolls, and they provide complimentary gift wrap, delivery, and baby registries.
Clark added that many employees have been with her since she bought the store and that their efforts have played a pivotal role in the store’s elongated success.
“They’re dedicated to what they do and the families we serve,” she said. “We work hard to provide a flexible and family atmosphere — we always promote family first.”
The store added a website last year and has significantly increased its social media presence. That expedited growth in e-commerce has led them to ship items all over the world.
The festivities on Saturday will boast cookies from Chelsea Stratton at Farmhouse Cookie. There will also be appearances by Spider-Man, Rapunzel, and Ariel from Untold Adventures.
Clark said a portion of the sales will go to Goodfellows Club “to support children in our community.”
Shoppers will also receive $35 off of a $100 purchase during the day in appreciation of their continued support.
“We have quality products, and we stand behind them,” Clark said. “I always shopped there with my kids and really appreciated classic clothes for kids and having custom-fit shoes. We can’t think this community enough.”
