Baby steps

Frustrated at being unable to find the baby supplies she required, new mother Clarissa Becker started online portal www.babycentral.com.hk three years ago to help fellow mums in need.

Becker has now taken her venture to the next level, teaming up with mother-of-two Katherine Regan to launch a Baby Central retail space featuring a showroom, cafe and play area.

'We wanted to create a stress-free and convenient space where parents can find everything they need and relax with a coffee while the kids are occupied and having fun,' says Becker, who now has two children, aged one and three.

Becker says her favourite product in stock is the Alma Papa Crib, which can be folded away and stored in a bag. Regan - mother to a two-year-old and a three-month-old - likes Milkscreen, which helps breastfeeding mothers who sometimes fancy a glass or two of wine to detect if there's any residual alcohol in their milk.

Although all the products at the shop - including maternity essentials, baby furniture, educational toys and books - can be bought from the online store, the 5,000-square-foot boutique is also designed to be a community hub, hosting regular activities and seasonal events.

Today and tomorrow, for example, the store will be celebrating Easter with egg hunts, bunny-hop races, and arts and crafts activities. Other themed activities, such as bouncy-castle afternoons, baby massage, knitting classes and children's film screenings paired with manicures for mum, will be held on a regular basis.

Baby Central is located at 7/F, BT Centre, 23 Wong Chuk Hang Road, Aberdeen. It's open from Monday to Saturday between 10am and 6pm. For inquiries, call 2553 8000 or visit babycentral.com.hk/shop.