Local Maternity Shop First Retailer To Open At West Broad Village

Though several restaurants, Whole Foods Market and a First Market Bank have opened at West Broad Village, the mixed use development has been completely devoid of retail shops. That is, until now. Local maternity boutique It’s Hip to be Round is pioneering the development’s retail section with a second location in Short Pump. Owner Anne Kennon, […]

October 1, 2009; 2:09 PM • by Trevor Dickerson

Though several restaurants, Whole Foods Market and a First Market Bank have opened at West Broad Village, the mixed use development has been completely devoid of retail shops. That is, until now. Local maternity boutique It’s Hip to be Round is pioneering the development’s retail section with a second location in Short Pump.

Owner Anne Kennon, who opened her original store in Carytown in March 2005, decided it was time to bring her maternity clothing and more than seven years of expertise to new and expecting moms in Short Pump and the Far West End. The West Broad Village store opened on September 24.

Despite the plethora of big box and chain stores in the Short Pump area, Kennon isn’t phased. “I think the Richmond area is really getting in tune with supporting local businesses,” Kennon said. “It is a little scary because I don’t have a big corporate cushion if sales are soft, but I like the mix of tenants and residents at West Broad Village. It’s a little more upscale and has a different, neighborhood-like feel to it.”

Kennon added that West Broad Village feels to her like a Short Pump variation of Carytown.

“I’ve been wanting to come out here since we opened [the Carytown store], but I’ve just been looking for the right time and place. I think, once it’s leased out, West Broad Village is going to be perfect.”

“No matter the economy, women are still getting pregnant,” Kennon said. “I felt it was the perfect time to set up shop in the far West End and get a step ahead of the economic bounceback. We’re now also available to those pregnant women who might not make it to our flagship store in Carytown as often as they’d like.”

Besides their wide selection of maternity apparel and accessories, both locations of It’s Hip to be Round also feature a kids’ division called Marbles, with an array of gifts and clothing. Most of the children’s brands are area-exclusive to It’s Hip to be Round and Marbles.

The store at West Broad Village is open Monday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m., and Sundays from 12:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m.

October 1, 2009 2:09 PM 0