In the Spotlight: Music for Kids AND their Parents called "lillibelle presents..."
In April, a happy hour event for parents and their young children called "lillibelle presents…" took place at the RecordBar. There was "adult" music by the band It's Over, inspired by 1950s and '60s rock 'n' roll, as well as a performance by a magician, kid-friendly food, and a smoke-free environment. The organizers of the event were Tiffany and Christian Hankel, owners of lillibelle, a children's clothing store on the Country Club Plaza. We talked to Tiffany Hankel recently about the music series.
Q: Your shop lillibelle opened last year with the goal of providing an
alternative for parents with
young children. Your website says the store meets a need for "modern
families (who) want clothing and gear for their wee ones that reflect their
own edgy, ironic and hip sensibilities." Talk a little bit
about how the new music series "lillibelle presents..." is an
extension of that.
A: The generation of parents that are having children right now compose an interesting group within the music scene. Whereas previous generations stopped showing an interest in current music post-college years, our target market enjoys listening to new music and is open to more new experiences in general. lillibelle celebrates rock 'n' roll through our clothing lines like Sourkiddies, Claude, Rowdy Sprout, Reckon and others so it's a natural extension of the store to carry that love of rock and all its genres into a live event. Our customers want to share their love of live music, art, etc. with their kids rather than give them up. In addition, children are not always welcome at the type of social events that parents have previously enjoyed so we wanted to change that.
Q: I was able to attend a recent "lillibelle presents..." show featuring the Kansas City band It's Over and it was really fun to see parents with strollers walking in to the RecordBar, a hip Westport club. One father - whose young son was standing near the stage - said he'd seen the band recently on a night out and it was a treat to introduce his son to the music HE liked. Is that the kind of response you were hoping or expecting to get?
A: Absolutely. My husband and I find that doing things like this with our daughter, Bishop Lillibelle, has a three-fold advantage: we get to live our lives, she gets to experience new things and we all get closer because of it. We sincerely hoped that this is what our customers would come away with as well.
Q: What's coming up next?
A: Our next "lillibelle presents..." show will take place before the end of the summer. Check our website at www.lillibellekids.com or sign up for our customer list.
NOTE: Lillibelle will be hosting a "Father's Day Beer and Pizza Happy
Hour" on Friday, June 16, 4 - 7 pm Imports, Boulevard Beer and D'Bronx
Pizza. Dads and kids only. Games will be offered for the kids.
Bring in a copy of Linkletter, and you'll get a 10 percent discount on items
in the store.
lillibelle, 4639 Wornall, Kansas City, Mo, 816-841-9682. http://www.lillibellekids.com/