Our Story

Bellies to Babies was founded in 2008 by Crystal Pollard and Brad
McManus. They wanted to provide a place for women to buy stylish, yet
inexpensive maternity and baby clothes without the second hand clothes
feel a lot of second hand stores have.
The idea came about when Crystal was pregnant with their son in 2006.
They couldn't afford to keep buying clothes for Crystal's ever expanding
belly, but didn't have a choice. They tried shopping at second hand
clothing stores, but they all felt cluttered and "icky". And the prices didn't
seem much better than buying full price. They couldn't understand why
there wasn't a better store out there for the mamma-to-be. Since there
wasn't, Brad and Crystal decided to make it.
Crystal took classes at Women Venture in St. Paul. Brad and Crystal then
researched and planned the store for the next couple of years. In 2008,
they started going to garage sales throughout the state buying up
maternity clothes.
Towards the end of the summer, the decided they were ready to open the
store. Working with a business consultant at Women Venture, they tried
numerous banks for loans and were turned down at every one of them.
With nowhere else left to go, and a basement full of maternity clothes,
Brad suggested holding sales out of the garage. So they fixed up the
garage set with pink and brown walls, a changing room, and even a
chandelier! Then they put up ads on Craigslist.
The garage would fill with pregnant women from around the state on the
weekends. They would come to shop and sell their clothes. This showed
Brad and Crystal how needed this store really was.  
Growing too large for the garage, Brad and Crystal found a storefront for
rent on Penn. They obtained a small, personal line of credit from their
bank and signed the lease.

November 1, 2008, Bellies to Babies opened their doors at 6638 Penn.
Today the store not only draws in customers from around the state, but
also from around the country and the world! Check out our maps in the
front entry way!
We continue to provide a store catering to the mamma and baby-to-be.
The Store
Before & After
Our Window
Displays
Don't Miss our Semi-Annual Sale!
Buy 1 Get 1 1/2 Off the ENTIRE STORE!*
August 1 - 7
Plus, get $10 Baby Bucks when you spend $50 or more.

*Does not include rentals or Belly Bandits. Baby bucks can be used towards
any baby clothing or item purchase after the sale