By Micaela Williamson
After much success with their Richmond shop Hip to Be Round, married owners Christa Donohue and Brian Roome decided to open a second location in the award-winning Mosaic District.
The self-proclaimed “serial entrepreneurs,” relocated to Richmond from Wisconsin three years ago to be closer to family and friends. Then pregnant, Christa received a postcard in the mail stating that Hip to Be Round was closing shop and having a blow-out sale. With shopping on the brain, she visited the store the next day, started talking to the former owner, and the rest is history.
“After a couple of conversations, we agreed on terms for the purchase agreement,” says Donohue. “I was six months pregnant at the time. She closed down Dec. 31, 2010. I had my son in February 2011 and re-opened Hip to Be Round on Mothers Day in May 2011.”
In the three years Hip to Be Round has been open in Richmond, the staff has seen an increasing number of customers visiting from the D.C. metro area. “There simply weren’t a lot of options for expectant moms up there,” Christa states, “We loved the Mosaic community…everything from the family-friendly movies in the park to the Stroller Strides groups. It was just a perfect fit.”
At the new Hip to Be Round location, customers can expect to find moderate to high-end maternity.
“Washer to dryer, work to weekend, we’ve got clothes that will make your nine months a celebration of your pregnant body, not a prison sentence,” declares Donohue. The boutique is also stocked with cute and functional nursing wear, diaper bags, medical accessories such as compression hose and back supports, lotions, oils, and teas.
Besides having great merchandise, the store specializes in giving women free fashion advice to get them through their pregnancy. Staff members teach pregnant women how to properly shop for their growing shape.
“We might not know your specific body, but we know what the clothes will do (and what they won’t do!), and can advise you on the sizes and styles that will be the best value for your dollar,” adds Christa, “And when your body as you know it is changing week by week, your maternity wardrobe can either make you feel awesome or awful.”
Hip to Be Round is excited to create a community for new and expectant mothers. The Richmond store hosts monthly breastfeeding support circles, childbirth education classes, and fun events like “materni-teas” with product samples and mini-talks about topics that are important to moms-to-be. They will continue to build those great partnerships in Northern Virginia.
Hip to Be Round
2910 District Avenue
Fairfax, 22031
(Mosaic District at Lee Highway & Gallows Road)
https://www.hiptoberound.com
- Courtesy of Tiffany Brown, Mamaratzy Photography
Micaela Williamson is a co-author of local travel guide, Kid Trips Northern Virginia, an extraordinary resource that provides descriptions, useful information and insider tips for hundreds of local destinations. Micaela is also an award winning blogger who enjoys supporting area businesses and scouting out family-friendly venues with her two young sons.
