Lil’ Tugs Children’s Boutique
713 Commercial Ave., Anacortes
360.299.2350 | liltugskids.com
THE SHOP
Since its opening in July 2016, Lil’ Tugs Children’s Boutique has become a community favorite. The darling shop carries toys and clothing for newborns through eight years old. Inspired by the Anacortes tugboat town culture, the store features a child-sized tugboat perfect for keeping kids busy while grownups browse the shop’s fun inventory.
THE ATMOSPHERE
A sidewalk chalkboard sign beckons customers into Lil’ Tugs, but the dizzying array of clothing and baby gear keeps visitors’ attention. You’ll see an adorable hand-knit hat, a newborn onesie perfect for your pregnant friend who loves anything with mountains, and over here are socks with rattles on the toes. All this before you notice the table of colorful baby teething toys.
KEY PEOPLE
Michele DeCarlo, who retired from a dental management career, owns Lil’ Tugs along with her husband, Robert Shaw.
She strives to give the community what it wants: high-quality, unique baby and children’s items.
That means lots of research, and visiting baby shows regularly. Her hard work has paid off: Lil’ Tugs Children’s Boutique is a must-stop for infant and children’s clothing, toys, and gear.
WHAT YOU’LL FIND
Lil’ Tugs sells the very best for baby that you won’t readily find at big-box stores. Among the velvety-soft organic cotton clothing, colorful rain boots, and wooden teething toys, you’ll find locally made and popular, high-end merchandise.
Walls are lined with products from local companies like Bunnies by the Bay and CAVU Creations, which makes the sweetest organic cotton PNW-inspired baby clothing. You’ll find Indestructibles, the books for budding readers that will handle anything your baby does to them. Practical items like Squid Socks promise to stay on your child’s feet while Books to Bed, the storybooks with matching pajamas, make bedtime more fun. Clothes from Kissy Kissy and Moulin Roty also are in stock, as are Squigz, the award-winning soft plastic colorful building segments created by an Anacortes artist.
FAVORITE ITEMS
DeCarlo loves their infant clothing lines, she explained, “There’s a special excitement about becoming a grandparent for the first time.” It’s not really about the items them- selves, but the anticipation for a new baby. Then it becomes about the stories her customers share: the first tooth, first solid food, first steps, another grandchild. The toys and clothing simply work as a backdrop for lives filled with love.
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