Across Generations

Hampstead resident PEGGY SULLIVAN recently realized a longtime goal when she opened children’s new and resale clothing store Kidz Kloset in March. She got to experience this dream alongside her best friend, TERRI SANDLIN, who also works in the store.

Their bond runs deeper than friendship: They’ve known each other since high school, and the two are the paternal and maternal grandmothers, respectively, to TAYLOR SULLIVAN, who has been handling the store’s social media marketing. Taylor, who is a student at the University of North Carolina Wilmington, drops by the store almost daily to check in on her grandmothers and make sure they are “staying out of trouble,” Peggy Sullivan says. 

On March 22, Kidz Kloset opened its doors with a grand opening event, which Peggy Sullivan says was well-attended. The store has stayed busy since, she says, drawing customers daily.

For many years, Peggy Sullivan was interested in opening a business in the Kidz location, which is located in the Cedar on the Green shopping center across from the Sheetz on U.S. Highway 17. She used to drive by the spot with her granddaughter, Taylor, and discuss what type of business they would open there. She liked the centralized location in the heart of Hampstead. “I’ve always been drawn to the quaint location,” Peggy Sullivan says.

As Hampstead has grown, and more young families have moved to the area, Peggy Sullivan recognized a demand for a business like Kidz Kloset. “There is not another store in Hampstead that focuses on children’s new and used clothing, to my knowledge,” she says. 

Sullivan and Sandlin, with the help of their granddaughter Taylor, turned the cottage space into a welcoming, organized store. One room is devoted to girls’ clothes and one room is designated for boys, and there are open spaces for children to play while their parents shop. The space features a lot of natural light and an inviting atmosphere for children to play.

“I love seeing the way the store has come together,” Sandlin says. “It is a big effort, but it looks great. The children love to come here.”

Kidz Kloset carries new and used children’s clothing, with sizes from infant up to 6X. The store features brands such as Gap, Carter’s, Shrimp and Grits, Petite Amie, Heartstrings, and Classy Couture, and hours run from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.

In addition to clothes, the store carries children’s accessories such as strollers, highchairs, and portable cribs, along with toys and books. Kidz Kloset welcomes donations of gently used children’s clothing for store credit. 

Peggy Sullivan has local roots. She was born and raised in Wilmington and has spent the majority of her life in the area. Sandlin is also a lifetime resident of Wilmington, and the two women met as students at New Hanover High School. While they were acquaintances growing up and remained friendly as moms raising children in the area, it wasn’t until Sullivan’s son, Scott, and Sandlin’s daughter, Shaun, started dating and ultimately got married that their friendship took off. Scott and Shaun have now been married for 34 years, and they have two adult children. 

Their friendship evolved to the point that they have been called “Hampstead’s Thelma and Louise,” Sandlin says, a nickname they earned because they are “always together on a mission,” she explains, laughing.

Peggy Sullivan, who moved from Wilmington to Hampstead about fifteen years ago, retired from a career conducting computer training for the Department of Defense. She also spends a lot of time visiting her son, Chris, and his family, who live in West Palm Beach, Florida. 

Sandlin spent the majority of her career working for her family’s business, Newber’s Refrigeration, a longtime Wilmington-area supplier of walk-in freezers, ice machines, and coolers. While neither woman has experience in running a children’s clothing store, they say they’re in it for the fun, especially because they love being around young children.

“We wanted something that allowed us to get us out of the house and be around other people,” Sullivan says. “We both love children. We wanted something to do that we enjoy doing.”

As for future plans, Sullivan intends to stay focused on children’s clothing and accessories, but says they are considering adding higher sizes of kids’ clothes to appeal to more customers. 

In the meantime, Sullivan and Sandlin plan to enjoy passing the time on the front porch of their cottage store, welcoming customers and enjoying the company of their close friendship. 

To view more of photographer Daria Amato’s work, go to dariaphoto.com

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