By Micaela Williamson
On a trip back to her childhood home of Sweden, Gun Denhart discovered vibrant and soft cotton children’s clothes that were a striking contrast to the uncomfortable children’s attire in the United States.
After bringing a case home to share with her friends and receiving an overwhelming response, she started Hanna Andersson in her Portland garage with her husband, Tom. Since 1983, the brand has grown to become an impressive worldwide children’s retailer with shopping available through catalog, Internet and retail locations.
Hanna Andersson’s newest store just opened in Northern Virginia at the Fair Oaks Mall.
“Fair Oaks Mall is a terrific addition to our existing stores in the D.C. market. It is located where many of our customers live. We have a wonderful location within the mall too. Hanna takes great care when selecting a store location, and this one meets all our requirements,” says Jessica Polonsky, vice president of stores.
Customers expect quality, durability and bright colors from Hanna Andersson clothing, which make it a favorite among parents and kids. Besides kids’ clothes and accessories, Hanna Andersson also continues to be a premier brand with a women’s line called Love Hanna and home decor brand named HannaHome.
“Here at Hanna Andersson, we let kids be kids,” explains Bonnie Choruby, senior vice president of merchandising and retail. She adds, “Our clothing and products are made from pure organic cotton and eco-friendly fabrics, and when you pair those qualities with functional pieces, you help kids be adventurous and carefree.”
The newest Fair Oaks Mall store, located on the upper level, is fully stocked with merchandise and ready for business. With a social media RSVP list of nearly 900 people for opening day, the store already proves to be a welcome, popular addition to the community, and the team hopes to get involved in local events.
“Now that we have a store at Fair Oaks, we will be sure to include those customers in future VIP events, as well as all store promotions such as our HannaSale in June and our popular Hanna-me-downs event in September,” says Meghan Shea, brand marketing coordinator.
The new Hanna Andersson location is between JCPenney and Forever 21 in Fair Oaks Mall in Fairfax.
- Courtesy of Tiffany Brown, Mamaratzy Photography
Micaela Williamson is a coauthor 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.
