New Ephrata store caters to young at heart

EPHRATA - You don't have to be a kid to be a kid at heart.

At least that's how store owner Vicki Schwab wants her customers to feel when they walk into Ephrata's newest specialty gift shop.

Kidz', which has only been open for two weeks, specializes in old-fashion sweets, slush puppies, toys and home items. The store also features women's clothing and jewelry.

"There's little niches for all age groups of people to come in and be a kid and have fun," Schwab said. "It's an enjoyable place to be."

From the whimsical store front, to the collection of candy and a popcorn machine that fills the store with the aroma of freshly popped kernels, it's clear Schwab wanted to create a welcoming environment for kids.

But since her mid-August grand opening, Schwab said she has been surprised at who the majority of her customers have been.

The store's biggest buyers of candy? Adults.

"Kids come in for some candy and we sell a lot of slush puppies to them," she said. "But I have to say, big kids are buying lots of the candy too."

Schwab said to cater to adults, she also sells dishes and home decorations in addition to kids toys. She is already looking forward to the holiday season since her variety of affordable items will help people put together gifts for even their pickiest friends or family member.

Schwab previously owned a business in Grand Coulee, which she ran for nearly 30 years before moving closer to family. Schwab was born in Grand Coulee, and went to school in Soap Lake. And growing up, Schwab was no stranger to retail since her parents owned a grocery store in Stratford.

"My heart's in retail," she said. "And I got the chance to watch my sister's place next door and see what she's been doing."

Schwab said seeing the steady business at her sister's Ephrata boutique Doughshinsky's, made her seriously consider opening her own store. So when space opened up right next to Doughshinsky's, Schwab snatched it up.

"The foot traffic, and the support the community gives out is just wonderful," she said. "It just kind of attracted me and I thought why not give my store a try."

So far, Schwab said business has been good. The Ephrata community has made such an impression on her, that Schwab is happy with her choice to open up shop in town.

"I'm so impressed with everybody here," she said. "The business people, they support each other and they've all been in to see what I'm doing."

Kidz' is located at 9 Basin St. NW. The store is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., except on Saturdays when Schwab closes early depending on customer flow.