Dress the kids, put the stroller in the car and get ready to shop. buybuy BABY, the kids’ store that Calgarians could previously only access online, just opened its first Calgary location in Brentwood Village (3630 Brentwood Road).
“Calgary is filled with young families who love buybuy BABY and frequent the Edmonton locations, so we needed a location that was closer for our customers,” says Dallas Duncan, the store’s manager. “New parents have lots of questions and need an expert to help guide them, show them new products to try out and ensure what they’re buying works for their lifestyle.”
To make things easy for shoppers, the store provides free one-on-one personal shopping appointments, a gift registry that comes with perks (hello, swag bags) and a shared website and gift cards with Bed Bath & Beyond.
buybuy BABY’s Calgary store, which is the brand’s ninth Canadian location, also has a comfy feeding room, complimentary gift wrapping and thousands of items to choose from, in-person and online.
As a mother of a toddler boy and a baby girl, let me say: I would take advantage of the offer for a one-on-one shopping appointment, especially if you’re about to welcome your first babe. Kids’ stores are overwhelming, whether you’re a first-timer or not. I’d also recommend bringing a friend who’s had kids with you to shop, because the added insight will help narrow down your wish list.
Speaking of wish lists, what’s the one must-have item that every parent needs to buy?
“A great stroller that suits your lifestyle,” says Duncan. “You’ll use it for years. It’s the way to transport your little one in comfort and connect with the world.”
One last suggestion, from this mother of two: Add What to Expect the First Year to your registry. The month-by-month breakdown of baby’s first year of life is the first source I check for all things related to eating, sleeping and behaviour.
Now, all I need is for the authors to pen another book – What To Expect From Year One Until Your Kids Move Out – and I’ll be set.
Michelle Magnan McIvor is a Calgary-based writer and the founder of Feverish News. A former health columnist with the Calgary Herald, she has written for publications such as Maclean’s, Canadian Business, Chatelaine and Flare. You can find Michelle on Instagram and, most days, drinking coffee somewhere in Mission.
