Tiny Treasures of Churchtown celebrates first birthday

A shop dedicated to babies, toddlers, young children, and parents in Southport is celebrating its first birthday this summer.

Tiny Treasures of Churchtown, on Botanic Road in the heart of the Churchtown Village, has quickly become a beloved destination for local families and beyond.

Lauren Baker, the owner of Tiny Treasures, opened the shop while on maternity leave with her youngest, Zachary, last year.

With over 12 years of retail experience from shop floor to field management, Lauren was ready to find a better work-life balance.

The result is Tiny Treasures, a store that offers a carefully curated range of sustainable toys and accessories from brands such as Maileg, Olli Ella, Little Dutch, Chelsea Peers, Alphabet Bags, and local makers including Murphy’s Sketches.

The shop also stocks a selection of Kerris cards, prints, and her first book, “A Book to Brighten Your Day.”

The shop will celebrate its first birthday on Sunday, 7 July 2024, after a successful first 12 months in business, which has seen it attract a growing following of customers both locally and around the UK.

In addition to the physical shop, Tiny Treasures operates a website, offering a wide variety of products for babies, toddlers, young children, older children, and mums.

Tiny Treasures owner Lauren Baker. Photo by Andrew Brown Stand Up For Southport

Lauren Baker said:

“I’m very excited to be celebrating our first birthday at Tiny Treasures this July! The shop will be open both Saturday and Sunday to celebrate this milestone. Botanic Road is a real destination street, full of lots of good quality local independent businesses, and we’re very close to the Botanic Gardens park too. The village is such a great community, and I feel very privileged to be part of it.”

The shop’s location in Churchtown Village has been a significant part of its success.

“Lots of new businesses have opened in the Village in recent months, with lots for people to explore,” Lauren added. “We get lots of customers looking for gifts to ship further afield and have seen our items go as far as Norway, Canada, and Australia.”

Tiny Treasures’ online presence also plays a crucial role in its operations.

The website offers a range of products, with free UK shipping on orders over £50 and a free collection option from the shop.

Their range covers everything from newborn to pre-school, with a few items suitable for older children, such as Crayon Box crayons and pavement chalks. Chelsea Peers pyjamas and Alphabet ‘Everything’ bags are also popular choices among customers.

Tiny Treasures. Photo by Andrew Brown Stand Up For Southport

Lauren encourages locals to visit the shop, have a look around, and ask for any specific needs. “We do regular pop-ups with local businesses, which work really well. I’m always interested in hearing from anyone keen on collaborating and showcasing their work,” she said.

One of the shop’s popular features is its ‘pre-loved’ rail, initially introduced as a temporary addition but now a permanent fixture due to its popularity. Tiny Treasures also purchases pre-loved items, so parents looking to part with children’s clothing from newborn to 2 years are encouraged to get in touch.

Fred & Pearl often run workshops during school holidays, allowing children to make fabric rainbows and friendship bracelets. These workshops have proved very popular, with attendees traveling from as far as Preston to participate, especially in anticipation of events like the Taylor Swift Eras Tour.

Lauren said:

“People should keep an eye on our social media pages for news of our latest products, offers and details of classes and events we have coming up.”

“We have been blown away by the support we’ve received during our first year of trading and hope to see some familiar faces on our birthday weekend as well as lots of new faces. There will be cake!

Tiny Treasures of Churchtown is open: