P. Cottontail & Company: STORE SPOTLIGHT PREMIER RETAILER Q&A

We interviewed super chic boutique owner, Sandra Murphy, of P. Cottontail & Company located in Half Moon Bay, California to find out “what’s hot” and “what’s not” for kids clothes this summer. She gives also gives us the inside scoop on her store events and super sales to look out for, as well as the best hangouts in the store’s area. Read more to find out about her fashion tips and the best beach gear this summer that you can’t live without!

P. Cottontail & Company
527 Main Street
Half Moon Bay, CA 94019
650.726.0200 

Check-in and join P. Cottontail & Company’s
Facebook page and click HERE 

1.    What was your inspiration/ behind opening your children’s clothing store – P. Cottontail & Company?
Sandra: I really did not have a single inspiration — being in the garment industry my entire career — and the kids business for a large part of that…it was a natural progression.  

2.    Tell us about any special events that you have planned at your store this coming summer and fun deals we can expect. Sandra: Our special events this summer?…On July 4th we have an old fashion hometown parade. We will be handing out flags to all of our kids. Also our BIG end of season sale will start in mid-July. Of course, do not forget THE PUMPKIN FESTIVAL in October. Please visit us early for all things pumpkin AND the best costumes ever.  

3.    What are this season’s latest trends for kid’s clothing? Tell us the 3 “do’s” and 3 “don’ts” in kid clothing style.
Sandra: Do’s and Don’ts…

• Do go for all things comfy and soft — babies and kids both can develop sensory issues at an early age give them all the help you can.
• Do go for the accessories — it makes the outfit — boys love hats and cool shoes, girls love purses just like mom.
• Do go for lots of great dress up clothes, it’s not just for b-day parties, and not just for girls!
• Don’t ever buy any garment that even LOOKS itchy — this is especially important in dressy dresses — also tags inside the garment — many
  of the moms ask us to remove them after they purchase the outfit because they bother the kids so much.
• Don’t ever go for anything tight or restrictive — kids need to be kids.

4.    Tell us…before you “had kids or grandkids, what is one thing you swore you’d never…?” Please share!
Sandra: I never had anything I swore I would never do — I’m a firm believer in “never say never.” I have one daughter — one amazing daughter — and being in the apparel industry, she was exposed to all types of clothing and styles and is quite the diva.

5.    Describe the neighborhood of Half Moon Bay, California where your store is located. Did you grow up in the local area?
Sandra: Half Moon Bay is a coast side town about 20 minutes south of San Francisco — the ocean is a big attraction for families — there are also tide pools at The Fitzgereld Marine Reserve where kids get a real hands-on experience.  

6.    What are your top 3 best selling beach gear items that you would suggest as the perfect “go-to” items for a family on vacation?
Sandra: Top 3 items for beach gear — SUN SCREEN – a sun hat with a large brim and sunglasses – I’m very big on sun protection — start you kids early. 

7.    Tell us about a “special” moment that made your day working at your store.
Sandra: Hands down favorite moment in the store is when one of my favorite little girls came in, sat down on the floor, opened her piggy bank–dumped out all the pennies–and asked me if she had enough money to buy the horse outfit!! 

Le Top "Flutterbye Butterfly" Hooded Zip Front Coverup and Bikini

8.    What swimwear or cover-up piece from Le Top or rabbitmoon do you love from the Spring/Summer 2011 collection?
Sandra: My summer swimwear collection favorite piece…is the pink zip front cover-up from the Le Top “Flutterbye Butterfly” Collection – I also love the bikini-don’t forget the sun hat!  

P. Cottontail & Company
527 Main Street
Half Moon Bay, CA 94019
650.726.0200

Check-in and join
P. Cottontail & Company’s
Facebook page and click HERE

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And the Winner Is….

Pumpkin Weigh-off Winner (source: sfgate.com)

Wow, we just had to let everyone know that the Pumpkin Weigh-off in Half Moon Bay was full of “Great Pumpkins!”  But the winner came all the way from Des Moines, Iowa and weighed in at a whopping 1,658 pounds!  That’s a lotta Pumpkin Pie folks!

From the photos it seems that everyone young and old had a great time! 

We just loved the photo of the cute puppy in a pumpkin outfit!  We couldn’t help but notice the photo of the wife of Half Moon Bay’s mayor, Eda Muller, with her granddaughter Delfina Bianchi, 4 – Delfina is wearing le•top’s boucle jacket in PUMPKIN color from the Enchanted group!  She is carrying one of le•top’s pumpkin goody bags as well – nice choice! 

Happy Pumpkin Festival to all our friends in Half Moon Bay!

The Mayor's wife, Eda Muller (far left) and her granddaughter Delfina (source: sfgate.com)

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Good Grief! A Thousand Pound Pumpkin???

Here in the San Francisco Bay Area October marks the time of year when you begin to notice changes in temperature and leaves turning from a beautiful green to a more dramatic orange-yellow. Halloween is just a few weeks away and there is excitement in the air as boys and girls decide which all-important costume they will choose. For one Northern California town October marks the time of year when the final preparations are made for their very well known festival.

Pumpkins Galore at the Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival

Half Moon Bay California, located just 30 miles south of San Francisco, is celebrating their 39^th annual Art & Pumpkin Festival from October 17^th through October 18^th.  This festival began in 1971 when a newly formed civic organization, The Main Street Beautification Committee, was founded to raise funds to revitalize Main Street in the charming Half Moon Bay downtown shopping district. The committee, realizing that pumpkin patches surrounded the area, decided to incorporate an old-fashioned downtown festival into many visitor’s annual trek to pick out their Halloween pumpkins from this well known home of superior pumpkin growers.  38 years later the Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival attracts thousands of people from all over the Bay Area and beyond, and is still committing the proceeds to revitalizing the downtown area and contributing to the town’s civic causes.

The kickoff for the festival is HUGE – literally!  Today, Columbus Day, Monday October 12^th it begins with the Safeway World Championship Pumpkin Weigh-Off with a $20,000 prize at stake!  Pumpkins weighing in at more than 1,000 pounds are brought in every year by proud growers and their families.  The following weekend of October 17^th through October 18^th pumpkin lovers flock to this charming ocean front town to celebrate the season of ‘orange!’

Otto and this Halloween's Great Pumpkin

The Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival is not limited to big orange vegetables!  It features live music and entertainment on three stages – ranging from pop reggae to classic and Celtic rock. Of course what would a festival be without food?  You will find every tempting pumpkin-infused treat imaginable – and then some!  Halloween is just around the corner, as is a very scary Haunted House!  Not into scary things?  There are other activities for the little ones, including amusement rides, a 24-foot climbing wall, pumpkin carving, pie eating contests, face painting and so much more!

The Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival has become a tradition for many families and friends.  It is a great place to come together and enjoy one of California’s oldest, biggest and most popular festivals.  Good Grief!  Don’t miss out!

For more information visit www.miramarevents.com/pumpkinfest/#

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Is that P Cottontail Peeking through the Pumpkin Patch?

P Cottontail's Historic Downtown Store Front

Nestled away in the quaint ocean-side town of Half Moon Bay you can find the home of P Cottontail…yes, look… right there in the historic Main Street shopping district!  Not a bunny…but a darling children’s boutique that will soon be celebrating its 25th anniversary as part of this unique community.  Half Moon Bay, founded in the 1840’s was the first settlement in San Mateo County California, around 30 miles south of San Francisco.  The beautiful locale, a stone’s throw from the Pacific Ocean boasts postcard perfect vistas that include whale watching, acres of flowers, 2 lighthouses, redwood preserves, wineries, golf courses, luxury hotels and charming inns and a historic Main Street with unique shops.  This is where we find Peter Cottontail’s ‘home’ – not situated next to Mr. McGregor’s garden, but rather in a vacation ‘destination’ for lucky residents and tourists alike.

Sandra Murphy took over P Cottontail & Co a few years ago, but had known of the unique children’s boutique for years and “Really wanted it!”  She loves seeing the little babies that come into the store grow up and says “They are like my own little family!”  When asked what was the key to her success the answer was simple, yet succinct, “Very, Very, Very hard work!”  Sandra remembers that a friend once told her “Remember the first word in Specialty Store is ‘Special’ – and I have always tried to remember that!”  The area locals love merchandise that reflects the community – especially the horse lovers and world class surfers that frequent the store.  A local customer commented:

Stocked up on Le Top Halloween costumes

“I have always found this store to have the kind of clothing that makes shopping local a unique experience. Informative, attentive and friendly service, plus you actually get to deal with the same person the next time. The last time we went in, the sales person remembered my son’s name. He was thrilled and I was impressed.”

Sandra’s customers have even included some celebrities that stay in the beautiful Ritz Carlton nearby – including Angie Harmon and Brad Pitt!  Of course she stocks up with appealing and distinctive items at this time of year in preparation for the scores of tourists that will soon arrive…as she gears up for Half Moon Bay’s well known Art and Pumpkin Festival! (Check back on Monday to see more about this) 

Sandra’s good friends and family all pitch in to help at P Cottontail for this amazing community event – so popular that it attracts tourists from all over!  She is stocked up with lots of Halloween costumes – ready for all the festivities.  They have a costume parade, and as Sandra says, “Pumpkin Everything!” – including the weigh-in for the biggest pumpkin, pumpkin carving, pumpkin muffins, cookies and pancakes and lots of fun!

If you are a fan of the ‘Great Pumpkin’ – or just want to have a beautiful and relaxing break – make a visit to Half Moon Bay.  Stop in and say hello to Sandra, she is really fun!  After all, she’s the one that quotes “I LOVE Le Top!”

P Cottontail & Co
527 Main Street
Half Moon Bay, CA 94019
650.726.0200

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