Busy Bumble Bee

Press, 22 November 1978, Page 19

Busy Bumble Bee

John and Shenin Oliverlike to think of Bumble Bee. their children’s shop in Northlands as “a onestop shop,” and their pride is well founded. Everything busy parents need for their children rom birth to eight years •s there; and for a child’s day, from bath to bed-time there is a wide choice of clothes and gear — baths, bassinets, buggys, cots and prams. In an extension of the service, • Bumble Bee recently opened a department of maternity wear.

Bumble Bee is at the Langdons Road end of Northlands mall, a large bright shop with a friendly feeling. There is parking beside the shop and a good range of basic shops nearby. The shop Opened early this year and has been very popular, espe-

daily with young mothers. Both the Olivers are keen to maintain a high standard in the goods they stock. With a small daughter of their own they have practical experience of children’s needs, and John Oliver, who came to New Zealand six years ago, worked in Sydney for four years with Ladybird children’s wear. and so has a very professional approach to the quality and styling of the clothes that Bumble Bee offers its customers. Sturdy and attractive children’s clothes are the main concern of Bumble Bee. They have everything from the socks up in several reputable brands. (They feel their sock range alone is one of the best in the suburbs.)

Stretch-and-grow tow piling playsuits, from 00 to 1 year, are in navy and red as well as pastels, from Noddy and Sugar and Spice, and an attractive range of pram suits are from Geddies of Melbourne. A very dainty collection of baby dresses in white and delicate pastels is from Maude Wilson of Australia. Bumble Bee are one of the few retail outlets for this label in Christchurch.

John and Sherrin Oliver are especially pleased with the popularity of the crochet and knitwear that the shop has made by outworkers. One dainty set in crochet comprises a dress, bonnet, bootees, mittens and matinee jacket. Customers may choose their own colours. For baby boys, customers may order machine-knitted romper suits in an attractive waffle-stitch, knitted in Fontana acrylic. Two examples of this style in stock at the moment are in shell-pink and a striking navy with red and white trim. Lindsay Koval have made the bright ■ cottonknit sweat-shirts, with zip-fronts. These are in bold primary colours with cuffs and collars in contrasting colours, one example of the wealth of styles in the large range of wash-and-wash-again casual tops at Bumble Bee. For the toddler, there are attractive cotton T-shirts and shorts by Noddy, with Beatrix Potter scenes on the top. For the little girls who like pretty things, Bumble Bee have some colourful peasant dresses with frills and flounces, by See-Jay

and Rumpus. While for the stay-at-home play scene there are overalls and jeans by Matches and the junior branch of Amco. When it comes to sleeping arrangements, Bumble Bee have exclusive rights to colonial style cots that can double as either a bassinet or bed. Beau-

tifully made by a Dunedin craftsman, the cots are in turned wood. House of Hippo have come up with some quilts which are delightfully different and which team well with these three-in-ope cots. The quilts are dacron-lined cotton, with the bold colours that children Jove.