Owner Ann Still with daughter Emily Almonte and grandson Shepard Almonte (Heather Mann for The Tribune)
CULLMAN – Since Christmas, Ann Still and her daughter Emily Almonte have been working to bring a specialty store for infant and toddler needs to Cullman. Now, their store Rattles & Rhymes is open at 107 Fifth St. SE.
Still said she started running with the idea after seeing a need for an infant specialty store in Cullman. "For my grandson Shepard, where were we gonna go shopping?" she said she asked herself. "The only places were either Birmingham or Huntsville, or otherwise online."
With help from the Cullman Area Chamber of Commerce, Still and Almonte began renting their property in February, explored the lines they wanted to carry in the same month, and officially opened for business on Thursday, June 21.
Rattles & Rhymes is also a place for friends and family members to buy shower gifts, giving them a chance to see the items in person to make sure it's what they want without having to drive a long distance. The store focuses a lot on apparel, but it also sell toys, small games and books to keep babies and toddlers entertained, as well as other infant necessities like teething chews, bibs, burp cloths, blankets and lotions.
Still said her conservative background was the base for the style of clothing the store carries, which is classic and modest.
Rattles & Rhymes will be open Wednesday through Friday from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Find out more at www.facebook.com/rattles.and.rhymes.
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