SOUTH HADLEY — Chic children’s clothes are difficult to find in the Pioneer Valley.
It’s a complaint Marie Mesheau heard her daughters and daughters-in-law discuss when she became a grandmother. The department store selection of dinosaur T-shirts and muted basics was unsatisfactory, even ugly, the women said. The modern mothers wanted to see their sense of fashion reflected in their children’s wardrobe, and the existing store options did not meet their expectations.
Suddenly, Mesheau had a way to become grandmother of the year.
She began carefully curating a selection of high-quality and stylish children’s clothing for the four mothers and seven grandchildren in her life. After seeing the delight and relief her clothing finds had on her family, Mesheau realized that other mothers and grandmothers likely had the same difficulty finding clothing for their young ones.
Over the last three-and-a-half years, Mesheau’s clothing repertoire went from a family solution to a full-grown business. Located at 19 College St. at the South Hadley Village Commons, Citrus Sky Boutique offers clothing, bedding and toys that express families’ unique sense of style and comfort.
Lauren Barthelette, one of Mesheau’s daughters-in-law, said that when people ask where she gets her children’s clothing, she can now send them to Citrus Sky.
“She’s carrying the things that you can’t get anywhere around here,” Barthelette said.
Citrus Sky Boutique is open Wednesday through Sunday during the fall season. The store offers free local delivery within a 20-minute radius, local pickup and ships across the United States.
The children’s store is a family business at its core. Barthelette runs the social media account and styles outfit sets hanging around the shop. She comes in every Friday with her children to play dress up, capturing photos and videos to post later in the week. The bedding, clothing and toys are all tested and approved by Mesheau’s family.
“I get a lot of my ideas from my granddaughter too,” Mesheau said. “She loves things like bumpy things and things that she can play with while she’s just sitting there relaxing. She’ll touch the clothes or touch the blankets, and she’ll tell me whether or not they’re good.”
Among the racks are miniature versions of the latest fall fashion trends: plaid button-ups layered under knit sweaters, oversized sherpa jackets with fuzzy collars and ivory tulle skirts with embroidered hearts. Feminine pieces are mixed with masculine and unisex items. Five of Mesheau’s grandkids are boys, so she ensures no parents have to hunt for boy clothing.
“I have people come in all the time. They say I have such a hard time finding stuff for boys,” Mesheau said. “I’m like, not here. You can find it here.”
Most of the clothing is 100% cotton, or as close to it as possible, Mesheau said. She prioritizes organic and natural materials for both breathability and longevity. During an interview, she held up a baby bodysuit made of organic cotton with coconut shell buttons as an example. Such items often carry a higher price tag, but Mesheau stocks sustainable pieces at a range of price points.
“It’s not just fancy and expensive,” Barthelette said, adding that her children will “run around and play in the dirt” in the clothes.
Citrus Sky applies its same philosophy of quality and style to its toy selection. The plushies and dolls have an heirloom look and feel. Mesheau opts for cloth and wood toys over plastic, particularly for babies. Coloring book kits or miniature animals cater to families dining out at the Village Commons restaurants.
Mesheau moved to the current location in May. The business started by selling items at vendor shows. She then opened her first storefront near Chap de Laine’s Interiors farther down College Street in South Hadley. Her grandkids kept busy in the playpen while she worked.
When a store location became available at the Village Commons, Mesheau jumped at the chance to relocate.
“This is kind of one of my favorite spots,” she said. “I grew up in South Hadley, and I’ve always loved [being] here. I felt like I needed to do something here.”
Most of the visitors to Citrus Sky are grandmothers buying gifts for their grandchildren, Mesheau said. She offers a wrapping station and plenty of kits for shoppers in need of a quick present.
But Barthelette said the store is her top suggestion for other mothers shopping for clothes. Being inside makes her “giddy” from excitement, and she hopes other parents find the same joy at Citrus Sky.
“I love being able to help and have it be a family thing,” Barthelette said. “I hope that everyone sees how amazing it is and how good it feels when you walk in the doors.”
