AliShopsBlog.com - The Twin Cities Shopping Blog

Eat your heart out, Bambi. Wading through images of goods to be showcased at the American Craft Council show at the St. Paul RiverCentre April 16-18 and among the whimsical teapots and sculptural rings, this hand felted wool deer bonnet by Wendy Allen made me smile. It's $78. You'll have to provide your own to-die-for little face to put in it.

Sneak peek of Uber Baby at Shops at West End in St. Louis Park, opening Friday, April 9. Same attitude, but totally fresh approach. You won't find any of the lines that have become commonplace at baby shops - cool new finds include Twirls & Twigs, Fore and several local lines like Annie and Me and edgy tutus (imagine Gwen Stefani liking them, if she had girls) by Alisha Perkins (wife of Minnesota Twins reliever Glen Perkins). The store opens Friday, April 9. Stop by opening weekend and mention AliShops for a FREE Uber Baby onesie - no purchase necessary. More details here.

The rebirth of Uber Baby at West End in St. Louis Park is set for April 9. Sounds like Lynne and Dan Gonsior aim to recapture the hip flavor of the original Uber Baby in South Minneapolis, and do it up bigger. They will introduce a private label line of baby basics called "U" and a wall of chic diaper bags they promise will be "largest in the country." Anxious for my sneak peek in a few weeks! Will keep you posted.

Perfect time to discover adorable children's e-tailer Kitsel. Through Jan. 31, save 15 percent on your order over $35, and 10 percent will be donated to the American Red Cross relief efforts in Haiti. Enter code HAITI at checkout.

Bummer. Chic children's boutique Bebe Babble in Edina's Morningside neighborhood will close at the end of the month. It will live on online at Bebebabble.com, where shoppers might be more receptive to $85 little girls' dresses (Suri Cruise, this means you!). In its four years, Bebe Babble raised the bar for stylish, high end children's clothing and furnishings. Owner Kendra Lewis, a Target vet, has also been a big supporter of local talent. She recently started developing her own pretty, yet modern line of Bebe Babble clothing - wouldn't be surprised if we see that in other boutiques soon. Her sharp eye will be missed on the streets (especially while waiting for a table at Convention Grill). See Sales/Specials for details on Bebe Babble's closing sale.

Creative Kidstuff opens a flagship store at the new Shops at West End in St. Louis Park on Friday. Expect "more things for kids to do and touch," said Happi Olson, director of sales and marketing. The store also marks Creative Kidstuff's first foray into the birthday party business: there's a party room filled with interactive playthings. The company is currently developing a menu of party themes that can be tailored to kids ages 3 to 10. Parties will start in January. Olson estimated the price will be around $225. When not in use for parties, the private room may be rented out to mom groups. (Taking a cue from Kiddywampus, it sounds like.) With the SLP opening comes the closing of Creative Kidstuff's Minnetonka store on Wednesday, Nov. 11.

Check back for updates on other West End stores opening this month. And visit Sales/Specials for special shopping days and discounts coming up at Creative Kidstuff.

"Are you going to take a picture for the website?" my 5 year old asks whenever we walk into a new boutique, like LD - Len Druskin. Trying to explain that the longer he stays in my shot, the longer we will have to spend shopping is about as meaningful as telling him he won't keep his good eyesight if he doesn't eat carrots. So the work takes twice as long. But how lucky to be able to play while we work.

Siji Kids, recently abandoned by Picky Girl and Flirt at the not-quite-great intersection of Grand and Hamline in St. Paul, is closing Aug. 3. It's too bad - Macy and Kyle Johnson have a great aesthetic and a passion for improving St. Paul. But running a boutique is tough business - yes, the economy, but especially, I think, with kids apparel. The grandparent demo just isn't enough of a market for the pricier clothes that parents know will end up muddied and ripped. I like my boys to look cute and try to avoid the Old Navy uniform, but I had to leaveSiji empty handed many a time because I just couldn't bring myself to buy a $40 shirt or $50 pants for a 4-year-old. Still, I loved them being there. I know it's not enough - thus, the end result. See Sales/Specials for closing sale details.

Atmosphere makes a huge impression on shoppers. I was reminded of that again today at Children's Place at  Ridgedale Center. Truth be told, I'm not a big CP shopper. But hats that stay on a fussy 1-year-old's head are not easy to find and so I was venturing beyond my usual spots. The Children's Place at Ridgedale was completely redone late last year and is soooo much more inviting. It's bright, colorful, modern and open, yet compartmentalized (along the lines of the new Gap floor plan) into manageable vignettes. Amazing how much better the clothes looked displayed in this environment!
Locally, The Children's  Place at Arbor Lakes has received the same makeover. We can only hope the others get upgraded soon - I might have to make this one of my regular stops.
(P.S.: Struck out on the hat at CP - they didn't have any that clasped beneath the chin. But the ones they did have were cool - not too cutesy - and just $6. I found the winner at Gymboree on sale for $9.99.)