In Charleston and Mount Pleasant, folks are pretty fashion forward. From bold bowties to sweet sundresses, people make sure to dress their very best regardless of the occasion. Adults aren’t the only ones rocking eye-catching ensembles in the Lowcountry. Just ask Susie Molony, owner of Southern Belles Children’s Boutique. Her shop, at 280 W. Coleman Blvd., has attracted quite the up-and-coming clientele. From newborns to preteens, she makes sure to keep those at the kiddie table looking on point.
From first birthdays to first Holy Communions, Molony has been there to dress children through all the special events of their youth. Getting to know each family and helping their children look their best for all of life’s grand affairs, and all the moments in between, has truly been her calling.
As a girl, Molony would spend hours dressing up her dolls or carefully cutting out miniature jackets and skirts for her collection of paper dolls. Creative, innovative and entrepreneurial, Molony comes from a long line of stylish women skilled at the art of crafting.
“My grandmother was an excellent seamstress and made all of my clothes for my sister and me when we were little,” said Molony. “My mother would make doll clothes from the leftover fabric, so my dolls had an impressive wardrobe!”
When Molony had her own daughter, she became inspired to create a line of play clothes that were both functional and cute.
“I started hand-painting on T-shirts and casual wear and later changed over to appliqued designs. I created a line of children’s appliqued and embroidered clothing under the label of Southern Belles,” said Molony. “I did home shows, holiday markets and trade shows for several years before settling down to a brick-and-mortar storefront. I think my entrepreneurial spirit just evolved over the years.”
Whether you are looking for a Clemson shirt, a fitted peacoat or a book bag for school, Southern Belles is the one-stop-shop for all your kid-related items. They even carry a line of chunky necklaces for moms called Chewable Charms, which are designed to add a little flair to your look while keeping those teething toddlers satisfied. Templeton Silver Pacifier Clips can be worn as bracelets when your child no longer requires them.
“It’s hard to set yourself apart these days when there’s so much competition in the children’s industry, and manufacturers and sales representatives don’t protect you like they once did in keeping certain lines exclusive to one store in an area,” said Molony. “I try to set myself apart by offering the very best selection of the most wonderful children’s clothing, shoes, gifts and accessories I can find.”
In addition to providing her shoppers with the very best in terms of children’s retail, she credits the shop’s success to the amazing customer service Southern Belles provides. Complimentary gift-wrapping, detailed monogramming and baby registries are just a few of the services she offers. With a knowledgeable and dedicated staff rounding out the Southern Belles shopping experience, it’s no wonder they consistently get voted the best year after year.
To learn more, visit www.southernbelleschildren.com or call 843-881-1741.
By Kalene McCort