I had already been cloth diapering #1 for a year and a half before a friend told me about an actual brick & mortar store about an hour from my home. This friend was due to have a baby in a few months and had been considering cloth diapers. But she wanted to actually hold some in her hands before she made a decision. She had been one of our weekly sitters for #1 and was familiar with what we used, but just wanted to see what else was out there.
So, enter Cutie Poops & Bottoms of Orland Park IL.
First Impressions
My friend and I knew nothing of what to expect when driving to the store. It is located in a shopping strip mall and using the directions on the website, very easy to find. From the outside, looks like a children’s specialty shop.
Friendliness & Knowledge of Staff
We were greeted right away and almost immediately began a discussion of baby carriers, because I was wearing #2 (who was only 2 weeks old) in a Moby Wrap. This was back in April and the store was going to start carrying different carriers and having classes. (See products and services sections below). Although we didn’t realize it right away, we were speaking with the owner, Sherri. And, goodness, did she know her stuff!
Discovered she is the mother of twin boys – 100% cloth diapered from birth! She gave a short demo of the various CD’ing options for my friend (who was so excited she was able to actually touch the diapers!) And it was nice for me to be able to see in person a lot of the diapers I’d only seen online (Happy Heinys, GroVia, etc.).
Variety of Product
As Sherri finished answering my friend’s questions, I wandered to see what else the store carried. I was in the market at the time for some wool or fleece covers, plus searching for some diapers that would fit #1 – who was outgrowing everything we had!
The products carried in-store are a great sampling.
- one-size diapers of all kinds
- pocket diapers
- AIO diapers
- prefolds
- covers – PUL, a few wool
- fitted diapers
- hybrid diapers
- baby carriers
- diaper bags, nursery furniture, and more!
- A lot of WAHM stuff as well.
And her website has a TON of stuff, also! More than what is in the store. Although, in-store has some different products also, including local WAHM products.
Although my friend didn’t buy anything that day (but DID set up a baby shower registry), I walked out of there with a KiwiPie one-size fitted diaper to try with #1, an AhGoo Baby Plush changing pad, a Happy Heiny trainer, and a tub of Earth Mama Angel Baby Bottom Balm.
Since then, I continue to receive Cutie Poops & Bottoms e-newsletter and follow the shop on Facebook. The store inventory is CONSTANTLY changing. She now has a ton of natural toys (including Sophie the Giraffe and Global Green Pals!), the baby carriers we discussed (including the Ergo Carrier!), and super unique diapers like these tie-dyed ones. And she’s currently looking into more wool covers (and they sound like they should be a great price). So, I’ve learned to never stop watching her inventory. 🙂
Services Offered
- Cloth Diaper Trials – These are great programs if you’re not sure you want to actually go with cloth, but want to try it out. Pay a deposit, get a sampling shipped to you, use the diapers for a set amount of time, mail back the diapers and get a refund (minus a set up fee). If you like it, purchase the ones you want. Easy as pie.
- Fluff of the Month Club – Ok, this is really for us CD addicts out there. 🙂 Buy a membership (varying lengths offered) and every month you get a new diaper shipped to you!
- Diaper Packages & Starter Kits – everything bundled together!
- Gently Used Program – buy and sell your used diapers. Great way to save money (and earn money!) when you’re starting out!
- Gift Registry – having a baby? Register for gear, diaper, and accessories!
- Classes – Oh, my goodness, the number and variety of classes Sherri offers are amazing. Just a few:
-
- Baby Boot Camp (for new parents)
- Baby Wearing 101
- BabyCare Express (for new parents)
- BLAST Babysitter Class
- Breastfeeding for Dummies
- Diapering 101
- Infant CPR
- Infant Massage
- Lamaze
- Natural Birth Classes (the Bradley Method)
- Pediatric First Aid
- Pre-Natal Yoga
- Financial Planning for Parents
- Special Events – she recently had a Buy, Sell, Swap event. I was so bummed I couldn’t make it!
Customer Service
In general, the customer service Sherri offers is outstanding. She knows her products, her vendors, and she knows what works and what doesn’t. If she for some reason doesn’t know an answer, she will find out for you.
My friend had a slight issue with some of her registry items shipping from the warehouse, but Sherri was good at explaining what was going on. My friend did have to ask for an update once, but seemed overall satisfied.
I have not had to make any returns or had any issues with products, so I cannot speak on that point. However, I have had many conversations with Sherri, both by email and on Facebook, and she is always prompt and courteous.
Website
The website is very clear, with minimal items on the homepage (great! I hate the clutter on some sites!). Products are divided into sections For Baby, For Mama, Baby Gear, Cloth Diapers, For the Nursery, as well as a photo gallery. The class listing is posted, with information on how to register.
There are also a couple of helpful articles: FAQs, Diaper 101 and Why Choose Cloth that are really helpful.
Everything can be purchased online and shipped to your home, which means the store is accessible to anyone! Not just those in the Orland Park area. Which I love, because I don’t get down there often. But this is great, too, for all of you no where near Chicago. You can participate in any of the sales, promos, clubs, trial programs, right through the website. Obviously, the special events and classes are for local residents who can come by the brick&mortar store.
Final Thoughts
Overall, I really like Cutie Poops & Bottoms. Because I try to support local businesses first, CP&B is one of the first I check when I’m looking for new items. I like that I’m dealing with a business that is giving back to the community with education classes and support, instead of just an online store. Although it is not the only store in my area, it is one of the few with an actual storefront that I can send people to.
So, if you’re ever in the Orland Park area, stop by and tell Sherri you found out about them on Green & Frugal Mama!
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