Sweet Pea Children’s Boutique to open in downtown Hillsdale

Home City News Sweet Pea Children’s Boutique to open in downtown Hillsdale
Sweet Pea Children’s Boutique to open in downtown Hillsdale
A new children’s boutique is opening in downtown Hillsdale.
Courtesy | Facebook

A new children’s clothing store will open this Saturday in downtown Hillsdale. 

Sweet Pea Children’s Boutique, owned by Rebecca Bauerly and her husband, aims at “providing adorable, affordable and good quality children’s clothing,” according to its Facebook page. 

The store is located at 120 North Broad St. and will open officially March 5. 

“Lots of people don’t have the money to drive around and get clothes,” said co-owner Adam Bauerly, who says the new business will sell affordable clothing.

Rebecca Bauerly noticed an inability to find clothes for young boys while she was raising her son. Taking matters into her own hands, Bauerly started her journey to create a business that caters to boys and girls fashion. 

Bauerly said she wants to be active in the local community by receiving feedback from customers and working with nonprofits to meet the community’s clothing needs. She said she hopes to ask people their thoughts on the boutique and how it is going, and she has already received some opinions from people in the community. This feedback will allow her to meet the needs of her customers.

“There is interest from so many people,” Bauerly said.

Bauerly emphasized the need to give back to the community and help in any way that she can. 

Bauerly said she has several ideas about getting involved with the community, such as working with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital through a fundraiser to host a coat drive for local at-risk families. 

As a resident, Bauerly said she is ready to bring people out to the streets of downtown Hillsdale.

According to a January 12, 2022 Forbes report, COVID took a toll on small businesses and has forced numerous around the country to close their doors. Small retail businesses like Bauerly’s, however, are returning in great numbers. 

In 2021, Michigan accounted for 162,478 new business applications across the country, according to The Center Square. 

 “Currently, we have seen an increase of businesses inquiring to open a new business or to buy a building downtown,” City of Hillsdale Economic Development Coordinator Kelly LoPresto said. 

Bauerly said she understands how essential it is to bring activity back to the downtown area.

“I really want to get people out and about,” Bauerly said.

Adam Bauerly said the plan for the future is to create a downtown community where businesses advertise each other.

The people of Hillsdale like to support small businesses in our community,” LoPresto said. “The Sweet Pea Children’s Boutique offers something new to the area and will bring additional people downtown to shop.” 

Sweet Pea Children’s Boutique will be open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. for its first day of business. The store plans on being open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays initially, and may add days and hours depending on demand.