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Affordable Luxury for Your Child
As a University of Florida graduate in Business and Advertising, Bagby is a consummate business woman with an eye for quality, value, and an understanding of what customers want and can actually use. As mom to three-and-a-half-yearold Donovan and mom-to-be of “baby girl Bagby” (due in September), she also understands parenting and children.
“My goal was to create a boutique shopping experience with a unique and wide variety of furniture, gear and gifts— things that I would and could afford to buy myself,” says Bagby. “Sure, we offer some ‘splurge’ items, but we are also a ‘one-stopshop’ for reasonably priced accessories, bedding, clothing, gear and gifts, large to small. At first I thought customers would be just moms, but dads, grandparents, and friends also love to shop here as well.”
Hey Baby’s line of infant and youth furniture is a popular customer choice. Cribs that convert into full-size beds are something parents can buy that will be used for a long time and passed along with each new child. You’ll also find linens and bedding to compliment your furniture, as well as the incredibly cozy and comfortable Best Chairs nursery chairs, recliners and gliders. Brands like Muniré, Baby Appleseed, and Stanley Young America are all high quality and safety approved, and some come in a variety of finishes like rubbed antique white, classic chestnut and espresso.
Customer Jacqueline Zeig was at Hey Baby! looking to purchase a toddler bed she and her husband can use for their children Benjamin, who is one, and Sophia, who is three. “We like the fact that the bed will last a long time, and we can use it for all our children,” says Zeig. “Actually, we have a baby on the way, due in June, and we will also be buying a crib. We like the value and convenience Mia offers, and know we’re making a great investment. My husband, Bryan, loves the over-sized Best Chair we bought here,” she adds, “ because it’s so comfortable and [it’s] big enough that he can climb into it—with the kids—and take a nap.”
Focusing on practicality and good business, Bagby likes to keep things affordable, runs weekly specials, and offers volume discounts. For instance, with all furniture you’ll get 10 percent off when you buy three pieces, and 20 percent off when you buy five pieces, such as cribs, dressers, changing tables, armoires, chairs and nightstands.
Bagby also likes to work with companies that are philanthropically oriented, such as infant furniture company Baby Appleseed, which uses portions of crib sales for reforestation and plants trees on behalf of your child. She also likes StrideRite shoes, which partners with others to help to build playgrounds.
Strollers and car seats are also unique sellers that are nearly as popular with dads as they are with moms. Brands like Bugaboo, Phil & Teds, Zooper, and Bob offer versatility and fashion. “Like most dads, my husband, Darrell, likes the high-tech, savvy look and function of the Bugaboo,” says Bagby.
Many of these strollers, like Bugaboos, are three-in-one, engineered systems that easily and safely take baby to almost any terrain, so you always have the right stroller with you. “Of course, there is a celebrity factor when you see actress Jennifer Garner pushing one. But you don’t have to be rich to find a versatile, safe and fashionable stroller here, as we carry many varieties with a wide range of prices,” Bagby continues.
Hey Baby! customer Holly Scorpio says she wishes she had known about the Bugaboo when she had her first daughter, Emiliana, who is three. “I went through about five strollers until I found the Bugaboo at Hey Baby! for my daughter Ave, who is now one,” says Scorpio. “Mia helped us to customize colors in Gator orange and blue, of course, so my husband Domenic just loves to push it around in public, particularly after a national championship!”
Bagby’s customers love the high quality and unique variety at Hey Baby!. “I love shopping at Hey Baby and have bought furniture and a lot of other gear,” Scorpio says. “Mia’s good about ordering innovative, practical things that really work, like the Miracle Blanket (recommended by pediatricians) and bébéPOD seats. For me, these are just must have items and awesome gifts.”
Hey Baby’s! Britax child car and booster seats are engineered for safety and durability, but the best thing is that you can get them with an official NCAA University of Florida Gator logo. What could be more appropriate for your Baby Gator?
Speaking of Gator gear, Hey Baby has a great variety of Gator logo gear including car shades, puzzles, cute (blue and pink) baby caps, and a unique baby board book filled with University of Florida landmarks (like the University Auditorium and the Swamp) that puts kids in the know about UF.
Hug-a-Long stuffed animals— including alligators—are super plush and irresistible to touch and hold at any age. By the way, in the spirit of fairness, Bagby does offer some gear with Florida State University Seminole and Georgia Bulldog logos.
If you’re looking for dynamic diaper bags, you’ll find there’s nearly as much variety, fun and fashion as with regular handbags. Customer favorites include Fleurville and Petunia Picklebottom. (Here, customers say, even dads can find a look that they don’t mind carrying around.) Another unique item that is popular with new moms is the BéBé au Lait� nursing cover. Designed for “discreet” public nursing, it is both functional and fashionable.
As you browse through the shop, you may notice a unique black and white photo display along the walls featuring Mia and son Donovan. This is the artwork of Susan Crowers, one of the few Florida photographers shooting exclusively in black and white film on location and printing fiber based portraits by hand. Recognized by several organizations including the Royal Photographic Society of England, Crowers signature is capturing the true essence of a child or family in natural settings.
You also can’t help but notice vibrant fabrics on the infant and youth clothing. Adorable and soft fabrics by Room 7, Snow Pea, and Tra La La are perfect for special occasions, holidays or photos. Suitable for everyday wear, Hey Baby’s! “attitude” t-shirts have sayings like “I’m the BIG Brother” and “Nobody puts baby in the corner.”You can also find several lines of shoes, including soft, comfortable Pedoodles® (sporting cute creatures like lady bugs) and StrideRite’s specially engineered “Baby Stages” with Natural Motion Systems� for baby’s developing feet.
A gift registry and gift certificates are also available and you don’t have to look hard to find something you love or something that sparks your imagination. According to Bagby, “People like to find unique items to give their parents as a way of saying, ‘Guess what? You’re going to be grandparents!’ which I think is such a wonderful idea.” Whether you are parents, grandparents or looking for gifts, you’re sure to be inspired by something cozy, cute, practical, or just plain cool at Hey Baby! G
Visit Hey Baby! at Thornebrook Village, 2441 NW 43rd Street Suite 4B, Gainesville, call 352-338-1138, visit their website at http://www.heybaby.cc