Would you shop at a childcare store run by a MALE Gruffallo look-a-like?

[BigBadWofie]

Found a tiny-weeny retail premises opposite an outdoor play area that's perfect for a very petite independent store promoting pushchairs, car seats, perhaps some books for children and other cool stuff :) Would love to sell some of the products recommended by mumsnetters (is that the appropriate collective noun?) BUT would you feel comfortable buying stuff like that from a 30yo man with an uncanny resemblance to a Gruffalo?

Planning on putting a ballpool and slide in one corner to keep the little ones occupied and have a little area in the opposite corner so the parents and I can discuss requirements over a and maybe a .

Please feel free to stamp all over the notion in the name of honesty. extremely enthusiastic about the idea. Selling is something that comes naturally to me without recourse to high pressure tactics etc. Fairly sure i don't come across as creepy (perhaps a little grumpy on a bad day)... So can i interest you in a cup of tea now mums (and dads)? ah go-on!

A male gruffalo??? Does that mean the original is a girl???

SuePurblybilt have you tried clicking on my screen name at the top of my last post? should work. no photo's of any prickles though, purple or otherwise. unless of course you count the beardy-beard. beardy, beardy, beardy Quack-quack! uh, might be losing the plot a bit... early bedtime perhaps in order. goodnight all.. oooh lionheart when you say being jolly is good.... because i'll need to be, are your statements made re: kids or their parents... I know which of these I most worry about...

Shopping and children = pain.

Biscuits and cake help, though.

But Monty, didn't you know? There's no such thing as a Gruffalo.

personally, I'm not so sure about calling it Purple Prickles - bit too Gruffalo centred imo. I wouldn't have got the reference if I hadn't read this thread.

I'm loving the no pink & blue thing, and suggest you check out following books (if you're not already aware of them): The Paperbag Princess and the Big Bear & Little Bear stories.

I'd assumed the gruffalo was female since it has a baby. But then it could be like seahorses, with the male raising the babies.I'd assumed the gruffalo was female since it has a baby. But then it could be like seahorses, with the male raising the babies.

Ok that didn't post right :(

Litha
The Gruffalo was a male, fo'sho'. It hatches its babies.
Was anyone else turned right off the mouse after hearing bloody James Corden voice it in the animation? I like mice and I'd stamp on the fecker.

Purple prickles would probably infringe Julia Donaldson and/or Axel thingummy's copyright. Sorry.

Customers don't know what the shopkeeper looks like until after they've been into the store, so I wouldn't worry about that. We have a very successful soft play near us which is run by a man.

just taken one last look over this thread. started at stupid o'clock in't mornin' up until just now. So much has changed in such a small space of time. Looking over all the wonderful messages of support and brilliant suggestions/tips. really silly I know but I did have a little cry. just a little bit. thanks again everyone. off to bed now as clearly a bit emotional just now.

night night all.

Will keep everyone posted as to developments.

Xx.

WHile I was pregnant a maternity shop opened, it seemed to be run by a guy, the problem was he wasn't friendly and had his male friends in the shop all the time hanging out. It was only small- boutique sized and it was weird looking at nursing bras with a group of men, and the owner who couldnt be arsed to say hello and look away from his friends as you walked in the door! Needless to say it closed before I had the baby!

A children's shop I think is totally different, and don't see a reason why it should matter that you are a guy- men have children too! Kids love the gruffolo so suspect thats a selling point at least, Good luck to you!

yes

If you want inspiration I spent way too much money in The House that Jack Built in Settle because it is just so lovely and inviting and well laid out. Making the environment child-friendly so parents with a toddler can shop there easily might be a real selling point.

If I had a shop aimed at children I'd seriously consider providing a loo and changing area, it would drag me in. You'd be asked all the time anyway and parents (like me) get irrationally angry when told to take their toddler to the public grimness 15 minutes walk away. Depends on your water rates I suppose.

Veronica -that shop looks lovely.

Going to Yorkshire tommorrow to check out the house that jack built for myself. as fairly sure the website does not do it justice. Thanks VeronicaCake mmmmm cake... treehouse photos (a couple) have been added for all those that asked to see. they were taken last year when the house was essentially brand new. My friend and I are building it as a small but fully functional retreat. it taken about a year so far and it wont be finished for another six months art least. we are having to work around various issues that we did not expect or plan for. it is beautiful though. So far we've managed to avoid breaking any of our major rules. No unsustainable materials or techniques. No major harm to the trees. No girls allowed. haha! only kidding on that last one. My store is gonna be very small indeed and i'm not sure what ideas (from the house that jack built) might transfer over but i'm going anyhow. as for changing facilities, was planning on converting the old bathroom to the rear of the premises into a large(ish) toilet/changing facility. Figured that children and their parents at the play area opposite would prefer to use the facilities over the ones in McDonalds next to the park...

I'm afraid my mate is moving in there for a while. it's not a bad way of life, being a tree dweller. So far there is 1 bedroom a living area and i'm getting on with the bathroom (which is causing all sorts of issues) the kitchen, second bedroom and diner are going on stilts off the ground (rather than mounted to the trees) in Jan2012 after much dicussion we felt it best not to over burden the trees.

There are some down sides to tree living... the bedroom sways ever so gently in a wind.... but not so gently in a storm. Personally i love this but others tend to find it disconcerting. the bathroom requires a macerator and a load of other fancy plumbing trickery which is giving me a headache and will likely cause further issues in future. also the council have given us all manner of crap about it and various bulding regs. saying that though... i'm getting my friend to help build mine in a couple of years when i find a decent site with some good sturdy trees... kinda slips into your veins while your trying not to look down...

Hurry up and be done. We need to visit, inspect the loos, eat cake and buy stuff:o

That is some treehouse

Am at the treehouse. And slightly in love with Mr Gruffalo

Look forward to updates on the shop!

Sounds amazing, I'd definitely shop there.

We could take cake with us of course. To lure unsuspecting Gruffalo types into relinquishing treehouse building secrets:o