'I was homeless but now my dream has come true': Boutique Havant children's clothes shop celebrates 10 years

Dreams have been realised in Havant after a boutique children’s clothes shop celebrated its tenth anniversary.

Button Up Baby in North Street has become a staple of the town’s retail landscape. Owner Crystal Griffin said she didn’t even think the shop would be a possibility, going from being homeless to an entrepreneur with an established business.

She told The News: “It was a dream I had when I was a kid. I was dismissed by my family for it, but then it happened. Ten years is one of many milestones.

“It’s surreal. You have to pinch yourself a bit, especially when you’ve made such leaps and bounds in life. It’s unexpected, and I can’t put it into words.”

The mum-of-two added: “You have to look in the mirror sometimes and say ‘you did do that’. Around 13 years ago I was homeless, so this for me is huge. That was the quickest turnaround, having two children and opening a business.”

Models, brand representatives, employees, and customers visited staff to celebrate the milestone yesterday (April 11). Drinks were shared in a cosy “family vibe”, Crystal said, as she reminisced about the often bumpy road that Button Up Baby has been on.

Pandemic lockdowns, a split from original co-owner Martin Young, and cost of living pressures all made running the business challenging. “All the girls who have helped my morale over the past few months were there,” she added.

“They kept us going through some hard times. The last few years have been difficult in many ways, going through a divorce and having to separate the business. We survived Covid and a lot of financial difficulties along the way.”

The boutique children and babies’ clothing shop has been heavily support by shoppers since it opened. Customers voted Button Up Baby as the best independent retailer in the Havant Constituency Small Business and Community Awards in 2021.

Its product range is diverse, from affordable Portuguese fashion to luxurious hand-smocked, hand-embroidered outfits by world renowned brands such as Sarah Louise & Pretty Originals. Button Up Baby has sold world-renowned designs worn by HRH Princess Charlotte of Cambridge.

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Crystal said she struggles to believe the business has overcome all of the challenges amid a dramatically changing retail world. “Balancing business and family life is very tough,” she added. “We became successful very quickly. I took the choice to step back initially to balance family life, as that was the most important thing.

“I thought by having a family run business, you could spend more time with the kids. In reality, you work longer hours for less. It’s about finding that balance. There’s a sense of camaraderie from the customers. We’ve survived. we’re here, and we’re thriving now.

“The sky is the limit, but for me, it’s more than just the shop. It’s about going into the manufacturing industry in the UK and being self-sufficient. We’re giving jobs to people and offering skills out to everyone. The future is in manufacturing, not just in kids clothes. I’ve got a few new things up my sleeve.”