Holland home decor retail shop gives birth to new store for kids

Deborah Johnson Wood

Matt and Jennifer Holmes' home décor store in Holland generated so much interest in its children's merchandise they've opened a second store downtown dedicated to all kinds of stuff for kids.

Tip Toes, the offspring of parent store Home & Company, opened last week on the corner of College and 8th St. and offers children's goods that include clothing, shoes, toys, books, strollers and some furniture items for infants on up.

"We also have a section for moms that includes accessories like jewelry and purses," says Matt Holmes. "And we have a collection of Grand Rapids' artist Carol Roeda's metal and magnet art that we call 'scrapboarding.'"

Matt and Jennifer, both 30, know that shopping with young children can be a challenge – they have a three-year-old son and a daughter who's almost 12 months. So they included a 10-foot-high tree house in the store to keep kids busy while their parents shop. The tree house, designed by Ada-based Carlson Design, has two levels for playing and a stairway for easy climbing.

Within the next couple of weeks the couple plans to launch another venture in the lower level – a high-end children's clothing consignment shop called Tip Toed, a playful variation of the main store's name.

"Our goal is for people to shop for the fun stuff on the first floor and then search out the great clothes bargains on the lower level," Matt says.

"We're excited about being in the new location," he adds. "Between us and the new Kilwin's is the new public fireplace that's built right in the sidewalk with built in benching around it so families can come and eat their ice cream by the fire. It's a great location for us."

Source: Matt Holmes, Tip Toes; Mimi Fritz, Downtown Holland Principal Shopping District

Deborah Johnson Wood is development news editor for Rapid Growth Media. She can be contacted at [email protected]. Development News tips can be sent to [email protected].