New Business Spotlight

The Bend Chamber New Business Spotlight is devoted exclusively to highlighting existing and new members to the Bend Chamber.

This month’s New Business Spotlight:

Nonprofit Offers Stylish Products for Local Families

By Courtney Linville
Government Affairs/Public Relations

Walking through the doors of the Stylish Stork, you feel as though you are walking into an exclusive baby boutique. There are racks of clothing, neatly stacked shoes, books, toys, strollers, and more lining the floor, racks, and shelves of the spacious store.

Did you know that you can find brands like Ralph Lauren, Baby Gap, Guess baby and other great baby brands all under one roof? For clothing, Stylish Stork has sizes preemie to 6T and everything is organized by color, gender and size.

What many visitors to the store might be surprised to find out is many of the items within the boutique are new or gently used items that have been donated. Stylish Stork is a 501(c)3 nonprofit that offers nice products to the families and parents in Bend.

The nonprofit started over a year and a half ago in the extra building of a local church with some finds from a local yard sale. “We started this when the economy had turned bad, and we said ‘what can we do to help the community?’” said Karin Windlinx, Manager. “One area that we saw was the need of single parents and families. We wanted to give them a place where they could come and purchase nice things for their children. We also saw there wasn’t anything for young moms that were pregnant and needed resources. So we decided we could fill that need.”

As Windlinx points out, kids are expensive. The Stylish Stork is designed for those who are seeking resources, or need a helping hand, and those who are looking to help the community while shopping for their children. “Why not help people while you shop?” said Danny Looney, Stylish Stork Employee. “You are having fun, but you are also helping someone at the same time.”

The Stylish Stork takes great pride and care in making sure that all items that are donated to the baby boutique are in good working order and they are clean. The store is very organized and kept very clean. “We wanted to get away from the thrift store feeling, but what we are really want to do is have the community feel like they are getting something great,” said Looney.

As a nonprofit, the Stylish Stork doesn’t give away vouchers, they give away gift certificates. Looney points out they want those in need to feel like they are receiving a gift rather than a handout. “We even have people that come in and purchase a certificate for people they know and ask us to give it to them anonymously,” he said. “We’ve also had people purchase the certificates for presents and showers as well.”

Stylish Stork works very closely with a lot of different programs in Bend including Grandma’s House, FAN, Pregnancy Resource, and local teen pregnancy resources.  But the giving goes far beyond the certificates to local organizations. If a person comes in and the staff notices they might have a tight budget, or are in need, they will offer to give them the items they need for no fee and no questions asked. “The biggest payback for us is to know that we have met the needs of a family,” said Windlinx. “Neither Danny or I are interested in running a business. That is not what this is about. It’s about building a bridge for a need and finding a way to take care of that need. That is the greatest reward.”

Windlinx also encourages parents to bring in old baby clothes for store credit for items that will fit their growing tot. For example, a parent might need clothes for their 6 month old, but they can trade in their 3 month old clothes for credit. “We aren’t just helping the parents that are hurting the most, we are helping the whole community in a sense,” said Windlinx.

Each time a new customer comes into the store, staff shares the story behind the store, so people who are shopping know they are helping others, and so they can tell others in the community who might be in need.

Stylish Stork also has a Facebook page where customers can stay updated on the store’s needs, upcoming deals, etc.

Windlinx says if everyone did just a little bit, the impact to the entire community would be great. Speaking from experience, Windlinx’s own mother raised four girls on her own. “I couldn’t have told you what a new piece of clothing was,” she said. “If people hadn’t stepped up and helped my mother, our childhood would have been 10 times rougher. When you come from that background, you understand the needs and viewpoints of young parents.”

For Looney and Windlinx they are going far beyond meeting the needs of the community, they are helping children. “We are meeting a need that isn’t currently met and nothing is every wasted on a child,” said Looney. “We are providing and trying to grow something that could help people in many other different ways.”

For more information on The Stylish Stork or how you can help, go to www.thestylishstork.org, call 541-550-7055, or stop by their location at 165 NE Greenwood Bend.