Two native mothers have teamed as much as create kid-friendly purchasing experiences and particular occasions at their retailer in Sayville. Coco & Ro, which marked its third anniversary March 5, is the brainchild of shut pals Kristin Whitcomb, a former accountant, and Melissa Oliverio, who’s labored in style merchandising.
The pair met when their youngsters had been in kindergarten, and so they realized they’d the identical dream. “Melissa and I each all the time needed to personal a retailer,” says Whitcomb, a mother of 1.
Positioned in a cheerful area with an indication promising “actually, actually cute issues,” the mom-powered enterprise focuses on clothes, toys and items for newborns to tweens and was impressed by a shared imaginative and prescient.
Scanning their city they discovered that “there was nowhere for teenagers to go to buy themselves,” says Whitcomb, who fortunately recollects having the ability to try this together with her allowance as a tween in Sayville. “I used to be welcome in a number of shops. I may purchase one thing with a couple of {dollars}.”
Their retailer is a type of time machine to recreate that rush of retail independence. Samples of toys are saved out for younger consumers to check as they want. For city occasions corresponding to Springfest in April, the shop affords free treats, non permanent tattoos and raffles.
Masking the shop and being a mother is an ongoing balancing act. They lean on one another to make all of it work. “We have provide you with a schedule and a sample and we keep versatile,” says Oliverio, a mom of 4. Operating the store, the entrepreneurs say they work to share the artistic and monetary calls for of the enterprise.
The shop affords a spread of merchandise from $5 to $139, together with plush toys, slime, lip gloss, and clothes. Custom-made items together with hats, pouches and sun shades are $18 and up. Items for newborns, first birthdays, mothers and academics are among the many high purchases by grownup consumers. The shop hosts birthday events and particular occasions and play dates with charges beginning at $650 for 12 youngsters.
Three years into the enterprise, the companions agree that resilience and optimism are key at Coco & Ro, a reputation impressed by the ladies’s pets. “It’s a contented little mild and vibrant store,” says Oliverio.
Coco & Ro, 49 Predominant St., Sayville, 631-319-1212, cocoandro.com.
