What would you want in an AP Shop??

[Shazza]

Hey all :wave:

As the title suggests what would you want if you walked into an AP shop? Slings, mcn's, teething necklaces, information, services etc etc.

How far would you travel to visit an AP shop?

Any other comments/things I need to consider?

I have a few ideas floating around my head about starting my own business and would just like some input from some other mummies!

Cheers, Shaz :D

[2babes]

Hi shaz,
The first thing that comes to mind is good AP related books that you can't get here. Check out what Dr Sears sells.

Other things are maybe

- co-sleeping cot -the ones that are like a three sided cot that attaches to bed- like a bed extender. Took me ages to find mine locally.
- nursing wear...
I would travel an hour if I knew it was a destination shop - ie I could do lots of browsing, info gathering and maybe even have a chai tea!

[Shazza]

2babes - thanks for your input! funny you say that about the chai tea as I was debating if I should offer a corner where mums can sit and chat over a cuppa. Will look up Dr Sears and get some ideas.

thanks, Shaz :D

[Shazza]

bumpity bump bump......anyone else?

[JabberJaw]

Herbal remedies
Lots of slings to try (because i would have loved to try some out)
Maybe a visiting naturopath or AP type CHN for baby weighing and stuff (because some just disagree making the visit to have bub weighed horrible)
Books
Organic clothing
Organic teas and also food for bub
Maybe an organised playgroup for like minded mums.
Calming type music CD's for babies


I dunno, lots LOL! I would travel miles to visit a store!

[Veritas]

Perhaps cloth nappies and cloth pads too???

A huggge range of books....

Maybe some natural style toys.... like those made of forest friendly woods, etc....

Maybe a couple of alternatives re: baby hammocks....

I definitely agree with a great range of slings/carriers....

Maybe offering something like belly casts, etc might be a great drawcard too....

[MsMummy]

Maybe throw some fair trade stuff in as it would attract the same kind of market, say, fair trade kids clothes.

Organic/green/ethical bath products etc.

This is sounding like the dream shop...:goodvibes:

[peanutbutter&jelly]

I love the idea of having a meeting area or something similar - big comfy lounges to BF in and to chat with like minded people would be wonderful, especially while being in what I'm imagining to be such a wonderfully calming place to be in.
Kids slings too to go with those for Mums & Dads!
:detective: I'll try and have a think, its just sounding wonderful :D

[tales]

Breast feeding wear maybe? I was lamenting to DP the other day that it's hard to find nice stuff that's not just singlets and the like for decent prices. I'd include night time wear as well - bf can get mighty cold in winter :(

Also along the lines of belly casts are the hand/feet impressionists and naming day celebrants that can be hard to track down :) Some of them might like the publicity.

[MimiGrace]

Hmmm, in adelaide there is already one AP shop (with two stores) that sells most of the items mentioned on this post (and yeah, i have travelled 40-50km each way to go there :p).

What i'd like to see in a shop is AP books. it is so hard to get them in aus, and the ones i can find are either really cliche, or they're not really what i want.
and its so expensive to order in from the states.

and i love the idea of having a breastfeeding area.:thumbsup:

[Shazza]

Hey everyone :wave:

Thankyou all for your input!! There are some things mentioned that I hadn't even thought of which is great!

MJ410 - you've read my mind about what I want the store to be like. More like a hub/meeting place rather than an actual store!

mimigrace - are you able to tell me the name of the store in Adelaide? I might see if they are on the net and get some ideas :detective:

tales - isn't bf in winter the pits!! I always have to wear layers to try and keep warm!

MsMummy - yes this is def MY dream shop!! :fingerscrossed: I can get it off the ground!

twg - was thinking about toys but was thinking more along the lines of soft toys with organic cotton? wonder what would be more popular?

misskelz - yep was hoping to find a naturopath/homeopath to visit and also have some chiro and acupuncture contacts.

DH and I were talking about it again last night and now I really really really want this to happen. This is my dream shop and I would love to be able to own my own business. Think I'm going to do up a business proposal and head to the bank:yelclap:

If you think of anything else feel free to let me know!

cheers, Shaz

[p3nguin]

Hmm what i would like in a store is

lots of differnt slings
lots of differnt cloth nappies
lots of books
a place to breastfeed and meet up with other parents
organic cotton clothes and manchester, soaps, nappy creams etc, breastpads and bras etc
organic baby food inc food for children with intolerances
non plastic baby food wear eg stainless steel cups bowls etc
natural toys
co-sleeping aids and hammocks
eco disposables and wipes and bags etc
helpful child nealth nurse
non vax info
helpful info


there is eco child at maroochydore (have not been there went to the store at north lakes though which was pretty disappointing.) There is a couple of online stores as well so there is some around for organic stuff.