Union-Bulletin

WALLA WALLA -- The owners of children's boutique Little Mud Pies have opened a bricks-and-mortar shop after seven months at the Country Store Consignment & Antiques -- proving the conventional wisdom of learning to crawl before you walk also applies to business.

The family operation owned by Yvonne Coers and her daughters, Amber Miller and Autumn Buttice, opened in December at 21 W. Alder St. in a portion of the building that formerly housed Graphic Apparel.

The boutique is stocked with trendy, name-brand items for infants and kids up to a children's size 12. The store also carries maternity clothes.

An independent storefront had always been the goal when the family first dreamed up the idea several years ago, Miller said. But opening first at the Country Store last May gave operators a chance to introduce their brand and build a clientele.

"We got a great start over there," Miller said.

Coers said the timing of the move, though, was also critical. She said the business's operation inside the Country Store on Isaacs Avenue was often confused for a consignment operation.

Little Mud Pies is a retail store that blends some "pre-loved" items with an assortment of new ones. The "pre-loved" items come from a combination of sources, including closeouts from other operations, purchases out of town and customers with name-brand gently-used furniture and clothing. Customers with the like-new items receive cash or in-store credit in exchange for their goods.

Local crafters also crochet hats sold for children at the store, as well as bibs, furniture and dollhouses.

Hours of operation for Little Mud Pies are 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday.

For more information, call 629-7437.