Women need to look fabulous while they are expecting a baby as much as any other time in life. That is the belief that started LeeAnna Boyce’s business, and it seems to have been well-received.
Boyce opened Mommie 2 B in downtown Conway on North Street near Locust Avenue in October. The business is a fashion boutique for expectant mothers, also carrying some infant clothing and gifts.
Boyce is not a mother yet herself, but she said all her friends who have children had trouble finding “anything cute, anything that fit right” while they were expecting.
She said, “As your body changes, we as women have a tendency to feel bad, and there’s nothing in Faulkner County to provide the needs of expectant moms or nursing moms.”
Boyce had the idea to open a boutique for expectant moms. She did some research online and talked to her friends about what they would have wanted while they were pregnant.
Maternity and nursing pajamas, she learned, were not easy to find for her friends. Nursing bras, another necessity, were impossible to find in stores, she said.
“The more I thought about it, the more I realized the need there was,” Boyce said.
She went on, “There’s always the style factor. Maternity clothes used to look completely different from regular clothes. Now they’re made to look like regular clothes and they’re made to make women look good and feel good. They used to make all maternity clothes the same cut, but we’re all different shapes. Now they make all different cuts so that the clothes are flattering.”
Boyce said, “Some women who aren’t pregnant shop here. The fabric is softer and it fits women with curves. It gives women with curves a tailored look.
“I wear the clothes,” she said, gesturing to a satin top that flowed neatly on her slender frame.
Boyce continued, “Since we’ve been open, we’ve gotten more and more requests for infant clothing. There’s nowhere to buy preemie clothing. We’re extending our inventory to sell more preemie clothing up to 24-month clothing.”
The store also carries baby gift items. One of Boyce’s favorites is the Baby Briefcase, which is a plastic case holding files for the baby’s birth certificate, Social Security card, insurance records, immunization records, etc.
“I think this is one of the neatest items,” she said.
She noted she also carries purses and jewelry and can special order items and ship gifts purchased at the store to the recipient.
She added, “You can go shop a lot of places, but not everyone can afford to shop everywhere. I’ve worked hard to have something (affordable) for everyone.”
Mommie 2 B has been welcomed with open arms, Boyce said.
“People are really excited we’re here. People come from all over – Little Rock, Bryant, Searcy, Malvern – people come from all over the state to shop with us. I think we’ve been received really well. People have said this is what Conway needed, and they’re so glad they don’t have to drive to Little Rock.”
She concluded, “The best part is when women come in and they’re down about their bodies changing and getting to dress them in something that makes them feel good and watching them leave with a smile. That’s my greatest reward.”