Global Meets Local at Ladybug Landing
Few streets in Lexington proclaim “Local” as distinctively as Southland Drive, home to an array of small businesses – which is one reason Sarah Meyers is proud to call Southland home for her business.
Meyers opened Ladybug Landing, an upscale children’s and maternity consignment boutique, five years ago. She moved to Southland Drive in 2010.
“I couldn’t wait to move here. Everybody knows where Southland Drive is, and this has been a great location for us,” she said.
While thriving in its hyper-local setting, Ladybug Landing boasts a regional, even national reach. Customers come from Lexington and all over Eastern and Central Kentucky.
They are drawn by brand name clothing, unavailable anywhere else in town.
Meyers has connections with shop owners all over the country, including as far away as Denver.
And she works with nearly 2,000 consignors who supply the store with new and like-new designer clothes for children up through size 16.
Brand names include such labels as Anavini, Bailey Boys, Papo d’Anjo, Lola et Moi, Jean Bourget, La Jenns, Potato Saks, E-Land, Matilda Jane, Persnickety, Haute Baby, Oilily.
Plus, Olive Juice, Chabre, Orient Expressed, Lilly Pulitzer, Chez Ami, Peaches & Cream.
Ladybug Landing carries high-end maternity brands such as Isabella Oliver, A Pea in the Pod, Maternal America, Gap and more.
Ladybug Landing also carries Melissa and Doug toys, plus a selection of developmental puzzles for young children.
Meyers has a business degree from Eastern Kentucky University and worked in corporate accounting for 17 years before launching her own boutique.
While her business background has been helpful, the inspiration for the store came from being a mom. She has three school-aged children.
“I always loved high-end clothing and the store idea came from frustrations with trying to find designer clothes at economical prices,” she said. “I started the store to fill a niche in Lexington.”
And the community has responded. When she moved to Southland Drive, the store’s space doubled to 6,000 square feet – 4,500 of it floor space.
Her staff has grown to eight part-time employees, and the store is open seven days a week (Mon-Fri., 10-8; Sat., 10-5; Sun., noon-5.)
August is a particularly busy month, landing in the middle of the fall season and marked by back-to-school shopping.
Customers can find jeans, sweaters, shoes, coats, button down shirts, blouses, and snow bibs, snow jackets and boots in colder weather.
The store is designed in a boutique style with first-class amenities, including spacious dressing rooms with seating for Mom, a waiting area for Dad and a fully stocked changing table for baby.
One of the hallmarks of the store is the children’s play room, whimsically decorated and featuring a Brio train set.
“Customers love the play room because they can shop while their children play,” Meyers said.
Much of the furniture in the store was built by Sarah’s husband, John, a business attorney who is an accomplished carpenter and craftsman.
It all adds up to a thriving family business that has connected with a loyal, cost-conscious customer base.
“These have been hard economic times and ours is the rare business that thrives in a down economy,” Meyers said.
“A lot of people are struggling. I feel blessed that people have found the store and appreciate it.”