Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Caity Barton. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Caity, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?
Prior to having my daughter I worked in Fashion in NYC. I was a visual merchandiser, then merchant and finally buyer for retail stores. After moving to Denver I worked for a women’s ready to wear business and then an outdoor company as buyer and product line manger. I always imagined opening my own small women’s clothing shop one day. I was always very particular about toys for my daughter, and one day while driving by an empty retail space next to an ice cream shop thought that opening a toy shop would be so fun. So I opened my shop online and while looking for toys to carry found it very difficult toys that represent all skin tones and family types. After more looking, I found some wonderful brands to fill the holes I was finding. I also found that so many thoughtful, handmade unique toys were made by women owned businesses. As the assortment came together I realized that I could not only offer toys that spark a child’s creativity, but also represent them and their families, while supporting women owned buisnesses. After about a year and a half a small space became available on S. Pearl St in Denver and I took it! It is the perfect size, and in such a wonderful neighborhood surrounded by other locally owned small businesses and across from an ice cream shop!
Caity, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
I got into the fashion retail field in college. I was a soccer player, and tore my ACL. After I recovering from surgery I decided to get a job at the mall working in a clothing store. I was hooked! I ended up managing a store when I was in college and from there worked for another company as a visual merchandiser. I was then promoted to NYC, worked as an area visual merchandiser and then was moved to the corporate office to help create a visual merchandising department for hundreds of stores. While in that position I worked closely with merchants and realized I loved product creation. I moved into that department and that is the area I stayed in until I opened the shop. I worked as a buyer, and then as a product line manger. I love owing my own shop and using all of the skills I learned along the way. I enjoy helping customers find a special, unique gift. It is important to me to give them a little background about the toymaker and the toy if they are interested. I also love watching children come in a find a toy they just love. I am most proud when customers tell me that the shop has very thoughtful and unique toys. That is one of my goals, and when families and children can come in and find a toy that represents them and their life, it makes my day!
Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?
I think the best way to build my reputation within my market is to continue to look for new, thoughtful, well made toys! To discover new toymakers. Most importantly it is to make sure that the shop is always welcoming to everyone one who comes in. I want to make sure that everyone is helped as much, or as little as they would like. One of my favorite things has been getting to know my customers, and then seeing them again!
Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?
I have been building my audience on social media since I opened the online shop in October of 2020. I have decided to let my audience build organically. I may not have the most followers on instagram, but they all chose to follow the shop because they saw a post they liked. I believe because of that they are very engaged. I make sure to post daily, always share what new toys have arrived, and take them along on any adventures I may go on!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://wherethesidewalkendshop.com
- Instagram: @the_sidewalks_end
- Facebook: @Wherethesidewalkendstoyshop