Lil' Boo's offers room to grow on

Children's clothing store opening second unit in Soap Lake

Area toddlers and infants have the opportunity to model the latest fashions.

Since October, Kathie Smith has been selling some of the latest in small children wear, after a year in the works.

"I've been in retail for many years," Smith said. "It's something I enjoy, and there isn't much opportunity for working in a retail industry here, so I thought I might take my skills and see if I can do it on my own. So that's what I'm doing right now."

Smith said she selected toddler and infant wear because she's used to and comfortable working with retail clothing, and thought she would use her experience.

Smith said the need for a store like Lil' Boo's arose from the closing of area stores like Kmart and Callie's Closet.

"That only left like Wal-Mart, Gottschalks or going out of town and shopping," she said. "So I just thought, there's a lot of children and parents are always looking for something different for their kids, so they stand out. I've heard a lot of people say they don't want to buy stuff at Wal-Mart because everyone else in town already has that outfit."

There's no competition with another recently owned baby care store, Baby, Naturally! which is just right up the street from Lil' Boo's.

"She's a little different than I am; she does more with the more organic and natural foods and toys," Smith said. Lil' Boo's offers clothing, shoes and some toys, and Smith is hoping to add more as the store continues.

Smith is the only worker, managing from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday, although she is working with Skills Resource Training Center to bring in another employee in order to change the hours.

"A lot of it has been excitement, a lot of customers have come in that didn't know I was here," Smith said of the community's reaction since opening. "They're excited to have another place to shop. I will do specialty items. If someone is looking for something that they don't want to go out of town for, I'll try to locate it. There's been a lot of good feedback."

Smith is also adding a Lil' Boo's location in Soap Lake, at the Soap Lake International Market, she said, estimating that it would probably happen before the end of May.

"I have a friend over there," Smith said. "We've been friends a long time and she has that business over there, and she thought it would be a good opportunity to expose my store a little bit more, and help her in her sales and help me with my sales."