City Guide 2018-2019: Shop
Shopping with kids can be less than fun, unless you’re shopping at one of these locally owned brick-and-mortar or online stores. From the things the kids want (toys!) to the things they need (cool clothes and quality furniture), here’s where to go to get the goods.
photo courtesy all about kids furniture
★ All About Kids Furniture
Looking for a bed that resembles a princess’ castle, or maybe a bunk bed with a slide? All About Kids Furniture has got you covered. From newborns to teens and everything in between, the family-owned furniture store specializes in cribs, gliders, beds for big kids, bunks and fun loft beds.
1420 Washington Road, Washington
724/916-4230, allaboutkidsfurniture.com
★ All That Jazz
Got a tiny dancer? All That Jazz carries all manner of leotards, dance shoes and fitness apparel for toddlers, teens and beyond and also welcomes special orders from dance and cheerleader teams, high school musical groups and college dance programs.
2000 Village Run Drive, Suite 208, Pine Twp
724/933-0555, allthatjazzpa.com
photo by laura petrilla
★ Brambler Boutique
The ultra-hip “lifestyle” boutique for babies and their parents offers a carefully curated selection of baby gear, maternity and postpartum essentials, organic clothing, accessories and more. They also have an extensive book collection, plus a nursing nook and play area for kids.
3609 Butler St., Lawrenceville
412/682-1327, bramblerboutique.com
★ Castle Toys and Games
With the aim to be “the best toy store in the world,” there’s something for everyone at Castle Toys and Games. The two family-owned emporiums stock toys and games that appeal to the adventurous wild child, the sports enthusiast and kids with extra needs. There’s also a wide selection of arts and crafts items.
Wexford and Beaver; castletoysandgames.com
★ Cookie Couture
When Brandi Kennedy moved back to Pittsburgh with her husband, former Penguins player Tyler Kennedy, she was looking for what to do next, and found it with Cookie Couture. Named after daughter Cookie, the online children’s clothing boutique carries hip brands with a “rockstar” edge handpicked by Kennedy.
cookiecoutureclothing.com
★ Fun Buy the Pound Toy Store
Fun Buy the Pound opened a decade ago with the idea that kids could come in and build with LEGO or K’Nex and buy their creation, paying by weight. The store still offers that concept, although it has grown to include a number of baby and toy brands. There’s also a play area for kids, available for $1.50 for 30 minutes or $2.75 for an hour.
406 Beaver St., Sewickley
412/741-9097, funbuythepound.com
★ Gifted Hands
This gift shop featuring jewelry, apparel, decor and more crafted by local artisans also sells an array of adorable baby items, including accessories (think tutus and flower-bedecked headbands) perfect for those newborn photo sessions.
Various locations; giftedhandsgifts.com
★ Happy Baby Company
The home of the Green Cheeks Diaper Service — which offers organic cloth diaper delivery, cleaning and pick-up in the greater Pittsburgh area — specializes in natural parenting products, babywearing, bath essentials and, of course, all manner of cloth diapers and accessories.
558 Lincoln Ave., Bellevue
412/734-1354, happybabycompany.com
★ Kidz and Company
For burgeoning fashionistas, Kidz and Company is a must. The fashion-forward boutique, which carries clothing for babies all the way through the tween years, specializes in designer clothing for boys and girls, including trendy brands such as Mayoral and Deux Par Deux.
5871 Forbes Ave., Squirrel Hill
412/421-5082, kidzandcompanypgh.com
★ Littles Super Shoe Store
There’s nothing “little” about Pittsburgh’s largest full-service family shoe store, which has been in operation for more than a century. The shop, which is noted for its customer service, carries a huge variety of brands and sizes for kids — as well as grown ups.
5850 Forbes Ave., Squirrel Hill
412/521-3530, littlesshoes.com
★ Lullabye Landing
Moms can shop for themselves and their littles at Lullabye Landing, which shares a space with Lula Boutique, a hip women’s clothing store. Specializing in trendy duds for boys and girls from newborns to tweenagers, Lullabye Landing also carries hard-to-find first-communion dresses.
1746 North Highland Road, Bethel Park
412/851-6633
photo courtesy made 4 boutique
★ Made 4 Boutique
Moms and babes both can find something cool to wear at Made 4. After operating a storefront in Carnegie for two years, Made 4 transitioned to an online-only boutique at the beginning of 2018 and also began to carry women’s clothing to complement its array of contemporary kids wares.
made4boutique.com
★ Penguin Bookshop
A fixture in Sewickley since 1929, the independent bookseller is known for its author meet-and-greets, book clubs and storytimes for children. The bookshop also hosts a Young Writers Series aimed at teens, middle-schoolers and children.
417 Beaver St., Sewickley
412/741-3838, penguinbookshop.com
★ Precious + Posh
Blending classic with fresh style, Precious + Posh sells modern baby and children’s clothing, including many products and lines not typically found in the Pittsburgh area. Besides cute and casual everyday clothing, the boutique has an extensive collection of communion, christening and formal wear.
638 Allegheny River Blvd., Oakmont
412/794-8247, precious-posh.myshopify.com
photo courtesy riverstone books
★ Riverstone Books
In a stripmall filled with chain stores, independent bookseller Riverstone Books is a standout with its highly curated, eclectic selection of fiction, nonfiction and children’s titles. Besides books, Riverstone offers children’s puzzles, educational games and literary stuffed animals. Don’t miss the weekly storytime for kids and the YA Book Club for teens ages 13-18 — no adults allowed!
8850 Covenant Ave., McCandless Twp
412/366-1001, riverstonebookstore.com
★ Songbird Artistry
Songbird Artistry’s selection of locally made jewelry, clothing, fandom goodies and vintage finds extends to their kids apparel and accessories section, which includes fun T-shirts, bibs and, for “Harry Potter” fans, a Marauder’s Map onesie.
4316 Penn Ave., Lawrenceville
412/742-4449, songbirdartistry.com
photo courtesy S.W. Randall Toyes and giftes
★ S.W. Randall Toyes and Giftes
Take a trip back in time with S.W. Randall. Some of the classic toys carried at the whimsical stores — including wooden toys, wagons and rocking horses — are the same kind of eternally popular items S.W. Randall owner Jack Cohen sold when he opened his original toy store more than 45 years ago.
Various locations, swrandalltoys.com
★ The Frog N Princess
Your little prince or princess will rule the fashion world in their duds from The Frog N Princess. The boutique features cutting edge fashions — including designs from Appaman and Haute Baby — for infants, toddlers and tweens and also carries special attire for christenings, communions, bar and bat mitzvahs and weddings.
3202 Washington Road, McMurray
724/941-8589, frognprincess.com
★ The Picket Fence
Be the star of the baby shower by bringing a gift from The Picket Fence. The Shadyside boutique carries an array of stylish baby, children’s and women’s apparel and accessories, plus home decor, toys and other gifts.
5425 Walnut St., Shadyside
412/246-0350, picketfenceshadyside.com
★ XPLOR Store at the Carnegie Science Center
Take home your Carnegie Science Center experience with a visit to the XPLOR Store. Geared for all ages, the imaginative boutique sells educational tools, interactive gadgets and science-centric toys. Insider tip: You don’t need to pay for admission to the science center to shop in the XPLOR Store.
1 Allegheny Ave., North Shore
412/237-3400, carnegiesciencecenter.org/visit/xplor-store
