Graceful Goose corners a new, younger market
Published 2:05 pm Monday, October 24, 2016
There’s nothing like those first, formative years in a child’s life.
A new business in downtown Washington is looking to celebrate those years in style, as the city’s only boutique dedicated solely to infants and toddlers.
The Graceful Goose, located on North Market Street, opened Oct. 1 in the spot left vacant by White Gables’ closing.
The mother-and-daughters trio of Landis Pinkham, Tricia Woolard and Brooke Newman are leading the new store. Pinkham is also the owner of Cottage Junkies, which opened in 2012.
“After we opened Cottage Junkies, you know, I’ve had a lot of want or need (for baby products),” Pinkham said. “We said, ‘OK, let’s just see how it goes.’”
The Graceful Goose has a little bit of everything. Walk down Market Street, and one immediately notices its rustic feel similar to that of Cottage Junkies mixed with a distinctive Southern appeal. Pinkham is also undoubtedly inspired in part by her own daughter, 9-month-old Katherine.
The baby boutique has a collection of repurposed furniture, baby clothes for newborns to 2-year-olds, as well as accessories such as books, toys and care products.
“We all three decided to do this together — just a fun family business,” Pinkham said. “A little bit of everything, honestly.”
She said the family hopes to bring something new to the downtown area, and although it is costly for anyone to open a new business, the decision felt like the right way to go after the space became available.
Cottage Junkies continues on with regular hours, as Pinkham, Woolard and Newman all pitch in to run the Graceful Goose.
Pinkham said the experience with opening Cottage Junkies has made the transition of opening a new business much easier, and shoppers have seemed to embrace the new store.
“We’ve had a great response,” she said. “We’re overwhelmed by the support of the local community.”