Birds of a feather
CAMBRIDGE -- The chill electronic pop of Scottish duo Boards of Canada plays on an iPod. Playful candy-colored walls contrast keenly with a commanding gilt-framed picture of a regal be ady-eyed pheasant with magnificent plumage that's accentuated by the painting's opulent background textures. The setting is artful, individual, and sophisticated -- perfect for a hip boutique.
But Bird by Bird, which opened in Inman Square in late October, doesn't exactly cater to adults. It's stocked with cute, colorful children's clothes from impossibly tiny bootees and environmentally friendly diaper sets, to lime green racing-driver jackets and mature smock dresses.
Owners Lulu Davis and Debbie Bowman opened Bird by Bird in October. The pair met through some of their children -- Davis has a boy and a girl, ages 5 and 3; Bowman has three girls, 5-year-old twins and a 2-year-old -- who attend the same school. Davis, a physical therapist, shared her idea to start a business selling cool kids' T-shirts, while Bowman, an accountant, mentioned that she wanted to open a store. With help from husbands and family members, the idea became a business: an urban boutique for kids, in "stroller heavy" Inman Square, directly across from a hip toy store, Stellabella.
Bird by Bird is a cozy hangout with comfy chairs (a nice option for nursing mothers) and a small play area to keep kids occupied. Classes such as Anna Nolan's signing tutorials for communication with babies too young for speech are held in the basement. (Nolan is a sales assistant at the store and also a professional sign language interpreter.)
A black, adult-size T-shirt with bold white print that says "Godfather" hangs on a wall next to a matching tiny "Godson" toddler T. Others are emblazoned with images of adult heroes such as Bruce Lee and Audrey Hepburn. Alongside Bird by Bird's clothing lines for newborns through 7-year-olds, these items give the impression that the store is something of an adult playground, too.
"Parenting can be overwhelming," says Davis. "We wanted to make shopping for kids a fun thing for parents too."
Oh, and the name? "Bird by Bird" is the title of writer Anne Lamott's handbook. It quotes her father's advice to her younger brother, who was anxious about his school report on birds: Start small, he said, and, "just take it bird by bird." Sound advice that adults and children can both appreciate. -- LINDA LABAN
Bird by Bird 1361 Cambridge St., Cambridge,
617-497-1361, mybirdbybird.com 