‘Boho boutique’ offers children’s consignment in Polson

Polson’s newest store caters to some of its youngest residents. Briar’s Baby Boutique is a retail and consignment shop specializing in goods and clothing for babies and children.

The store is named after co-founder Jonta French’s four-month-old daughter, Briar.

French and cofounder Annette Schiele decided to launch the business around Christmas, while visiting fellow consignment shop Purple Wildflower in Polson. While shopping at the store, owned by French’s mother, they realized Polson didn’t have an equivalent business specific to children and babies.

Schiele and French decided they would take up the mantle to bring a children’s boutique to Polson.

“We found a great location and decided to go for it,” Schiele said. “We were really excited.”

Schiele, a soon-to-be empty-nester, and French, a stay-at-home mom, believed they had the perfect combination of experiences and interests to spearhead founding the store.

“We thought we would work really well together, we could have fun and benefit both of us,” Schiele said.

Briar’s Baby Boutique opens on March 1.

The store is already almost completely full of consignment items. Briar’s Baby Boutique accepts children’s clothing from newborn to size 10, as well as consignment maternity clothes.

Schiele considers Briar’s Baby Boutique a “boho boutique.” She described the style as “cute, current and clean.”

“We’re stinking cute,” she added.

The consignment process at Briar’s Baby Boutique is meant to be “as smooth, professional and hassle-free as possible.”

Clothes are required to be washed, smoke-free, hair-free and in season. Faded, stained or damaged items are not accepted. Bags, shoes, furniture and gear must be wiped clean inside and out.

In addition to consignment, Briar’s Baby Boutique offers an assortment of retail items. The store carries Tiny Human brand toiletries, like baby lotion, diaper wash cream and hand sanitizing gel. Briar’s Baby Boutique stocks retail maternity clothing, as well as sippy cups and toys. The store doesn’t accept consignment for toys or nursery furniture. Briar’s also offers newborn gift boxes, baby basket sets, teethers and growth charts.

As they look forward to the grand opening of Briar’s Baby Boutique, French and Schiele said they feel grateful to the women business leaders in the community who helped them prepare to open the store and set examples for the new enterprise. Jeanne French at Purple Wildflower, Megan Cummings at River Rock Mercantile and Bobbie Goldberg at Second Nature were all “instrumental in helping us,” Schiele said.

Briar’s Baby Boutique will hold its grand opening and ribbon cutting from 2 to 4 p.m. on March 1. The store is located at307 1st St. West, Suite #2. Hours will be 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday.