Baby B. Home
The everything-baby boutique: Baby B. Home
Now under the leadership of Paris sisters Emily Ashton and Sarah Jackson, Baby B. Home is maintaining its two-decade status as a downtown staple.
As a secondary school teacher, Paris resident Emily Ashton spent a lot of her time with young people. Now, as owner of Baby B. Home in downtown Paris alongside her sister Sarah, she’s working with the youngest people of all – itty bitty babies.
Baby B. Home started as just one section in a furniture and decor store up on the far end of the downtown strip. As the baby products became more popular, then owners Judy and Laurie decided to go all-in on it, opening a baby-focused boutique.
The store stayed in this location until 2018, when it moved to a bigger location on 16 Mechanic Street – sandwiched between the ice cream parlor and the thrift shop – where it is today.
Today, Baby B. Home is Paris’ go-to spot for all things baby and toddler. Things like clothes, toys, books, cleaning products, blankets, bibs and beyond!
Ashton says the vision for Baby B. Home remains the same under her leadership – a vision focused on sustainable products, Canadian brands wherever available, and keeping things simple.
“You know, basic toys, open-ended toys that let children use their imagination – there’s not really anything with batteries,” she said.
Though she’s only now taken ownership, Ashton has worked at Baby B. Home for seven years as an employee. She started just after she had her first child, figuring it’d be a great place to work – she was right.
While on maternity leave for her second child, her sister Sarah stepped in to take her shifts. Sarah, who has a background in fashion merchandising and retail, also fell in love with the work environment. As co-owner she spearheads the look of the shop and merchandise displays – and this experience shows.
Judy and Laurie decided to retire in 2018. And who would have better taken over the shop than their most passionate employees, Emily and Sarah?
“It’s been good,” said Ashton of her time as an owner thus far. “The Paris community has always been very supportive; they understand the value of shopping local.”
Ashton says selecting products isn’t as difficult as she thought it may be. In fact, many customers bring recommendations straight to them. If they fit the store’s motto – natural, modern, educational – they get brought in.
“I love taking advice and inspiration from other parents,” she said. “Some of the lines that we have brought in, such as Parade, parents had found in other stores.”
Ashton says she’s also grateful to work with her sister. The pairs’ mom works just around the corner at John M. Hall House of Quality Linens and stops in most days for lunch with her daughters.
“It’s been a wonderful experience,” she said. “It’s nice being able to run ideas off each other – get her opinion on things.”
Right now, Ashton and Jackson are particularly excited about a new clothing line they’re launching in the store.
Called “Silly Goose Float Club” the brand celebrates downtown Paris with a creative design from a local artist on shirts in both children's, baby, and adult sizes.
The shirts are printed locally at Grand River Shirts Company.
“With the small launch we did do, they’ve been a pretty good success,” said Ashton.
Ashton says her favourite part of the job is helping other parents find the right products for their little ones – something that never gets old.
“I love helping people find that perfect little gift,” she said. “And showing them different products that they’re not going to find in big box stores.”
Baby B. Home is located at 16 Mechanic Street in downtown Paris, Ontario. Follow the store on Facebook @babyb.home or shop online at babybhome.com