There is increasing diversification along the commercial strip of Franklin Ave. just blocks north of the Crown Heights’ Eastern Parkway subway stop. One of the newest shops on these blocks, located between Park Place and Sterling, is Stork at 726 Franklin Ave. in Crown Heights, a children’s clothing boutique for newborns to six-years-old.
Owner Eyana Carballo is mom to three-year-old Vincent and six-month-old Marlee. Her previous career, seven years in investment banking and management consulting was time intensive–a juggling act when it came to spending time with her growing family. She was a working mom and “I needed more balance in my life,” she explained. Her husband still works in the finance world.
“I love children’s clothes,” she says of how she segued into a children’s boutique. Having moved to Flatbush, Brooklyn to accommodate her growing family, she wanted a shop in the borough with quality clothes comparable with stores she would shop at in Manhattan. She wanted to “address the need for creatively styled children’s clothing and accessories” so parents wouldn’t have to travel to “the City” to shop.
“In Brooklyn the children’s shops are mostly toys. We specialize in clothes (17 lines), shoes (five manufacturers) and accessories. These clothes are appropriate, moderately priced, and have style, ” she notes of her quality clothes comparable in price with Manhattan ‘known stores’.”
She also supports local designers and manufacturers. Ninety percent of the suppliers are in Brooklyn. “These are unique designs. You can put together an outfit for $50 that is not a carbon copy.”
Stork also carries a line of baby-safe cleaning products made from non-toxic and natural based ingredients. And yes, the fashion forward store has toys and children’s books too.
Almost five years ago, the NY Sun wrote about the area’s transformation and how it was attracting recent college graduates and young professionals seeking affordable rent. Keeping with the times, local resident Nick Juravich writes the blog ilovefranklinave.blogspot.com. Stork is at home in this transformation.
While there are still discount housewares, cleaners, beauty salons and a supermarket on the strip, Franklin Ave. has a market carrying specialty items, a vintage clothing store, an old-fashioned candy/ice cream shop, numerous cafes, and a Mexican restaurant.
With representatives from local politicians present, an official ribbon-cutting took place last week with the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce.
