Nice Dungarees, Baby
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| Lottie, Cherie, Debbi and Thomas |
It's good to welcome another shop to the village. Just round the corner from the High Street at 2, Station Road, which has languished empty and forlorn for many months, "Lottie and Thomas" launched on 16 September with Lucy Alexander doing the honours. Lucy, presenter of BBC1's "Homes Under the Hammer," is a recent resident of Thames Ditton and a young mother herself.
Owners Cherie Noy and Debbi Rose, who live not far away, have named their shop after their own tots. They explain: "We're both recent first-time mothers and found out pretty quickly that shopping on the high street is a whole new ball game when you're trying to cater for the needs of a baby. So we came up with the idea of having an annexe to the shop. It's basically a comfy room where customers can nurse and change their babies in a clean and discreet environment - with a baby monitor, somewhere to park buggies, and basics such as bottle warmers, nappies, creams and toys. We want to try and eliminate all the possible pressure points from shopping and to put back some of the pleasure."
The Molesey and Thames Ditton NCT branch welcomes this approach.
Cherie and Debbie will specialise in stylish clothes, shoes, toys, gifts and keepsakes for children up to and including the age of three. They've stocked it with an eye to mums, grandparents, godparents, doting aunts and uncles - anyone in fact who has a child to buy for and who wants to get something that's just a little bit different. "We've sourced some great European brands," says Cherie, "things that we would want to dress our own children in - funky, yet stylish. And we've gone for clothes and shoes that allow children to be individuals, rather than advertising campaigns for major labels. We've also got gifts for christenings, 'new mum' pampering lines - something, we hope, for everyone."
Cherie and Debbie have given up successful careers to become their own bosses for the first time. There is, they say, a lot to learn, but they're determined that Lottie & Thomas will offer good service and quality stock. We wish them luck.
Lottie and Thomas, 2 Station Road
Opening hours:
Tuesday-Friday 9am-5pm, Saturday 10am-4pm.