The Lily Pad Store

A seriously wonderful little shop… even more so since they expanded it and added more books. Anyone who knows me knows that I’ll always think more books are a good thing…
The first time I walked in I thought wow — this is the children’s store I would have created had I known how to create a children’s store.
Toys? Yup. Non-​violent, non-​electronic toys, all of ‘em? Yup. Toys to encourage imagination/​creativity/​thought? Yup. Cool things made of wood? Yup. Organic cotton baby clothes and cool diaper bags and baby slings and organic cotton baby toys and those really cute little booties that stay on the baby’s feet instead of coming off and getting lost who knows where? Yup.
The selection and the products are great, but it’s the service that really sets this place apart. The owners are super friendly and very willing to help — even when you say, «my son got invited to a birthday party, he doesn’t really know the kid very well, I want something wonderful but really don’t want to spend more than X amount of money, what do you suggest?» Every time I’ve asked this question (and this has become the only place I shop for birthday parties), they’ve come up with something new and wonderful.
About a year and a half ago, I bought an outfit here for my friend, who was about to have a baby. Before I gave her the outfit, the baby died. The package sat on the floor of my bedroom for about 3 weeks before I could bring myself to bring it back to the store… no receipt… way past the usual amount of time to exchange something. When I told the owner what had happened and asked if I could return it, she teared up and told me of course, I could — no questions asked. Bravo.

The Lily Pad Store is a breath of fresh air in Hillcrest. As you enter into this children bookstore, the aroma of fresh tea leaves awaits you on a tray along with other flavor options for you to sip on. Nice start. This 100-​year-​old location renovated into its present shape used to be a post office and still displays the original cast-​iron mailboxes turned counter for you to interestingly observe. Organic babywear and intelligent children games and books, as well as monthly kids parties are on the list of what you can find here. The two ladies who own the lily pad were once Waldorff parents, and one of them actually used to work as a costume designer for the Old Globe, which explains the crafty quality of the displayed items. I went there for the first time a week ago and felt impregnated with the spirit of Christmas — in August.