Kate Glynn, who is the owner of A Child’s Garden at 204 Main Street in Northampton, stands beside a display in the store, Monday, Jan. 6. She is closing the store and is looking for a buyer.
Kate Glynn, who is the owner of A Child’s Garden at 204 Main Street in Northampton, stands beside a display in the store, Monday, Jan. 6. She is closing the store and is looking for a buyer. Credit: Gazette file photo

In regards the Jan. 8 article, “Her story is coming to an end,” I want to publicly express my deep admiration and gratitude to Kate Glynn for her dedicated work at A Child’s Garden that provided the community with much more than a collection of beautiful toys, natural baby gear and a first-class book selection.

Kate created a network of like-minded caregivers and natural toy enthusiasts that went far beyond a retail exchange. Fifteen years ago, I started A Child’s Garden with the dream of offering products that would allow young children to experience what I felt was rightfully theirs — more play, more imagination and more creativity. When I sold the store to Kate, I never questioned whether this dream was being placed in the best of hands. I knew it was.

Not only did Kate give the store a long life, but she made it her own in the most beautiful and authentic way. She dug in deep and made herself, and the shop, relevant in multiple ways. She reached out to the retail community and the wider educational and social services community, selflessly offering her unique skills and expertise. Kate’s willingness to connect, to collaborate, and to support others, in and out of the retail world, is remarkable and I believe is what kept A Child’s Garden an integral part of the downtown landscape.

I am sorry to see this lovely shop close, but I am so proud that Kate held true to the foundation and the mission that was started so many years ago, and that she remains true to herself. A store like A Child’s Garden succeeds because the people who work there believe in the products and can educate customers on why they matter. Nothing matters more than the attention, the care and the support that we give to our children to have a happy, healthy and creative start in life. Kate understood this from the beginning.

Downtown Northampton will be less vibrant without A Child’s Garden (if a buyer does not come forward), but I believe that the closing of that door will open many others for the community to benefit from Kate’s involvement, commitment and know-how.

Kate, your integrity, kindness and community-mindedness will be missed on the corner of Main and Crafts, but another great thing is just around the corner, and if it’s not here waiting for you, I know you will make it happen. Thank you.

Elizabeth Volkmann

Northampton