This Little Piggy Baby and Children’s Boutique, formerly of downtown Aberdeen, has a new home on SE Broad Street in Southern Pines. Aside from being sandwiched fittingly between Lil’ Bo Peep Ultrasound and Pollywog’s Play Pad, the space has more room for merch and events. Oh, and it will have a brand-new owner.
Soon after finding the new location, owner Noga Ailer learned her husband’s job would be taking them to Virginia. She immediately approached longtime boutique buddy Katrin Franklin, of Bump & Baby in Pinehurst, who agreed to buy the business.
Here’s what Noga said about the sale:
“She and I have worked together over the years to intentionally build up each other’s business, building each of our own around the other so that we are not competing against each other, but rather complimenting each other’s businesses. Repeatedly we have sent customers to the other’s store and have found that it’s so much more appealing for customers to see that our small business community works together, and in the end both of us win.
“For both of us it is a step of faith. I bought the store two years ago with a 5-month-old on my hip, a toddler in tow and a kindergartner at the ready. I was a stay-at-home mom called to do something greater than myself. And in a way, I was also preserving, shaping, and growing this business so that one day I could hand it over to Katrin; a ready-made business for her for when *she* was ready. “
And, Katrin’s take:
“I wasn’t at all prepared and it wasn’t something I had been planning on (opening nor owning another store in town) but it just feels/felt right. We already do everything together. We go to market together, share orders, etc., so we already speak the same language. I already understand so much about her business.
“The biggest learning curves for me will be balancing the workload of whatever owning two stores feels like and getting to know the downtown Southern Pines customer … it’s just going to be good ol’ fashioned fun and trial and error!
“It’s also a bit of a homecoming for me. I’m from downtown Southern Pines, live in downtown Southern Pines, went to elementary school and middle school in downtown Southern Pines, grew up walking downtown after school with friends, doing homework at the Southern Pines Public Library, and splurging my squandered lunch money on treats at the Ice Cream Parlor — so this is also very nostalgic for me!”
RSVP to Saturday’s grand opening event on Facebook — and click through the links to follow This Little Piggy Baby and Children’s Boutique and Bump & Baby on Instagram.
