BEVERLY — If you're in the market for children's booty shorts, Kiddie Kouture Boutique in Beverly is the wrong place to shop.
Amanda Reagan opened the children's clothing store at 10324 S. Western Ave. on Monday. But a thought has been brewing in her head for more than a decade.
"I didn't like the way little girls started looking like little women," Reagan said. "When I was a little girl, little girls looked like little girls."
Reagan, a resident of suburban Blue Island, opened her shop intent on offering an alternative to outfits she believes are too risque. Instead, she's stocking her boutique with what she considers age-appropriate clothing.
Howard Ludwig says Reagan wants to break the booty short cycle:
The 1,400-square-foot store store will also carry many American-made items, organic clothing, locally-made clothes and accessories along with other unique attire, Reagan said Tuesday.
"It is not going to be stuff you are going to find everywhere," she said.
Regan was born and raised in Texas. After her high school graduation, her grandmother sent her to visit family in Chicago. She soon moved here and began working in retail.
"I fell in love with" Chicago, Reagan said.
She's spent 20 years working in retail — minus a five-year stint selling insurance. And in that time, she really developed a passion for retail sales.
Reagan said she considers Jamenda McCoy, owner of Belle Up in Beverly, a role model. McCoy opened her maternity and women's clothing boutique in Mount Greenwood in 2009. The shop moved to Beverly late last year and expanded to Hyde Park in the spring.
The owner of Kiddie Kouture hopes the Southwest Side neighborhood embraces her business in the same fashion. In fact, Reagan remembers shopping at Belle Up while pregnant with her now 4-year-old daughter, Madison.
Reagan warned customers that her shop will be more expensive than the children's clothes sold at big box retailers like Target, Kohl's and Wal-Mart. But she plans on offering higher quality items as well as unique outfits for special occasions.
Despite the recommendation of her vendors, Reagan is also planning to stock an equal amount of clothes for boys. She was told customers typically don't spend money on clothes for boys, but she plans to have her store evenly divided when Kiddie Kouture hosts its grand opening sometime next month.
The store will also have a small section dedicated to clothes for moms and some gift items like boutique toys and unique books.
As for the rise in what Reagan believes are inappropriate children's clothes, the store owner said celebrities are in part to blame for the trend, marketing adult-style garments to children. Parents and peer pressure also play a role.
Regardless, she's determined to break the cycle of booty shorts, crop tops and wedge sandals for young girls.
"You are not really happy unless you are following your dreams," Reagan said.
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