Mother Goosebumps: PREMIER RETAILER Q&A

Holiday is here and we interviewed one of our favorite Le Top and rabbitmoon premier store retailers in Galesburg, Illinois – Mother Goosebumps. Rhonda Townbridge, Manager and childrenswear guru, tells us about must-have new mom essentials, her dream toddler makeovers and how her store has a special winter scene photographer for sweet kiddo portraits at her store this holiday season. Read more!

1.      Where did the name Mother Goosebumps come from? What was the inspiration behind the name? We are assuming Mother Goose nursery rhymes, but why the “bumps”?
Rhonda: The store had this name before I bought it from the original owner who had named it Mother Goosebumps 16 years ago.

2.       How did you pick the location of your new store? Describe the neighborhood where your store is located.
Rhonda: The store is located on historic Seminary Street in Galesburg, Illinois. But approximately 10 years ago, we moved across the street to a larger location when we started to carry school uniforms for local schools. To see more about seminary Street, visit http://www.seminarystreet.com/. All of the businesses in the area are locally owned and offer a variety of shops.

Le Top Pirouette Faux Fur Jacket

3.       What would you suggest as the top 3 essentials a new mom should buy in your store?
Rhonda: With the winter quickly approaching I would suggest a new mom should buy a:

• JJ Cole Bundle with a matching fleece hat
• Mustela soothing comfort balm
• Zutano cozy fleece
• And a Le Top pink faux fur coat! It is something every little girl needs.

4. What’s the best advice you have ever given a new parent?
Rhonda: Relax – and enjoy your baby, they grow up so fast.

5.      The holidays are around the corner – what are your top 5 items (clothes, toys, giftables, etc.) for any parent shopping for the holidays at your store?
Rhonda: I would pick….

• Melissa and Doug wooden puzzles
• Automoblox
• Thomas the Train wooden railway
• Tutus and pettiskirts
• And books!

The Le Top Wall

6.      If you could give a toddler a makeover – Describe the perfect fashionable and functional outfit you would dress a boy and girl in.
Rhonda: For a toddler girl, I would dress her in a Le Top Pirouette ballet dress and legging set, topped off with a matching headband and large flower. She’s all ready to go see The Nutcracker in this outfit. For toddler boys, any boy can go to about any function when you put together a Hartstrings gray corduroy pant with a ½ zip gray sweater.

7. What’s on your agenda for the holidays for your store? Any special events or fun holiday traditions at your store?
Rhonda: The holiday kicks off here at our store with our big day after Thanksgiving Sale. On the first Saturday of December, the street we are located on has an open house where there are carriage rides and caroling. We also do “winter scene” photographs at our store with a professional photographer – come by and see!

Le Top Dottie Scotties group

8. What collection or piece from Le Top or Le Top Baby line or rabbitmoon do you love from the Fall/Holiday 2010 collection?
Rhonda: The best collection for Le Top girls is the Dottie Scotties group and for boys I love the rabbitmoon Guitar group.

Mother Goosebumps
77 South Seminary Street
Galesburg, IL 61401
(309) 342- 2867
www.mothergoosebumps.com