As I look back on 2020 from this hopeful view atop of 2021, I cannot help but feel overwhelmed by gratitude. Gratitude for me and my family’s health, gratitude for the resilient city we live in, and gratitude for all of you that supported us during a truly challenging time.

Looking Back on a Challenging 2020

2020 started out like most other years with a New Year, New Me mindset and fresh Spring drops I sourced at Market in NYC. We moved into our new location in a freshly renovated space with our sights set high. Then March hit and life as we all knew it changed.  The first few weeks of lockdown life and pandemic mayhem were tough for everyone, small businesses were locked up and forbidden to take customers. So what were we to do?

First, we set aside time to design and launch a new website capable of boosting online sales and curbside pickup.

Then, we got personal. Itsy Bitsy took phone calls all day to customers needing play clothes, swimsuits and summer outfits! The staff personally shopped for each person who called in. Online orders were fulfilled and if you lived locally were hand delivered some on two wheels in my neighborhood with a little help from my son Joey!

The worst part of the pandemic challenged us business owners to connect with our customers and show them how much they truly were the glue that holds us together. By the middle of the summer and 'Back to School' we were all in it together, making it work. 

Because of YOU The Itsy Bitsy Boutique was able to not only stay open, but actually thrive this season. We held trunk shows, got creative when there were no pumpkin patches for your littles and brought the pumpkin patch to Itsy Bitsy. 

Looking Ahead to a Bright 2021

As we embark on 2021, it is my hope that we have a little sunshine after the rain.  Itsy Bitsy will continue to to provide only the best, highly curated baby, kids and tween brands (and shoes too!)  

In 2021, we will support other women in small business with spotlights in social media. We are super excited to start planning a Tween Series of events and workshops in the Spring which would include a “You be the Buyer” event where they get to shop for tween-only styles.

Did you know February of 2020 is the last time I went to Market in-person? We have been attending Market virtually this year, keeping our connection to amazing vendors alive and well. Our vendors, like us, have struggled too. One of our most loved brands and yours too, Olivier London, shut down their wholesale business and closed stores in the UK last Spring. We were so saddened to hear and missed their liberty prints in our store. I just got an email this week they have limited stock and have chosen only 10 boutiques internationally for wholesale and Itsy Bitsy made their list!

It’s already starting to look a lot like Spring in the shop! We are receiving our first few boxes of Beaufort Bonnet, The Proper Peony, and  Saltwater Sandals so be on the lookout for new items in the shop, online and on social media!

How can you continue to help? Please like and share our posts and stories on social media. You can also share our newsletter with friends and family.

Cheers to a bright year ahead,

Susan