Business Spotlight: Sweet Autumn Opens Its Doors

Another new clothing boutique has opened in downtown Babylon Village, but Sweet Autumn hopes to appeal to a different breed of discriminating buyer: preteen girls and moms of young children.

The store's official grand opening is slated on June 4, during the Chamber of Commerce Sidewalk Sale. Owner Beverly Blum hopes the prominent location will bring village shoppers in, and the unique selection of mid-priced options will keep them coming back.

"We love this location: we love being near Argyle Grill and right next to Sherry's. There's a ton of foot traffic," says Blum, mother of a toddler daughter named Autumn who serves as the inspiration for the shop's name.

"We checked out every available retail space in Sayville, Bay Shore, and Babylon. I've lived on the South Shore my entire life, and we wanted to be in one of those towns," says the Lindenhurst resident.

Blum decided to open her own business with her husband, who sells jewelry on the festival and fair circuit, after leaving a long time job at Estee Lauder when her daughter was born. She decided she had nothing to lose by trying to follow her idea for a retail business.

"So many people wonder and never know. You have to just go for it. You never know until you try," she said.

The new shop owner believes Babylon doesn't offer anything quite like her goods: her merchandise, which she says is carefully screened for quality, offers shoppers the chance to buy an outfit or gift that is one of a kind.

"We only have one of each sized item. If you buy a dress for your child, you know no one else will show up at the party with it," said Blum.

Prices start around $30 for a dress or outfit. The shop also sells accessories and gifts. Blum said the majority of her wares are everyday, casual clothes, ranging from newborn sizes up to junior sizing for girls, and newborn through size eight for boys.

Blum stresses that her shop is very baby stroller-friendly and mothers with young kids are always welcome to shop and browse. The grand opening will feature giveaways and other promotions.

"We've had a lot of people in so far and the response has been positive. People have loved what they've seen," said Blum.

The shop is open from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday.