By Bill Parry
An upscale children’s clothing boutique in Sunnyside is closing its doors at the end of July. Tiny You, which opened at 46-21 Skillman Ave. five years ago, was the last shop of its type in the neighborhood.
“It’s a little emotional because that’s my baby,” owner Jill Callan said. “It’s strictly a business decision. I had two more 5-year options to stay. The shop was doing well, but there’s just too much going on in Long Island City.”
Two years ago, Callan opened her second Tiny You location at 10-50 Jackson Ave., a space double the size of her first shop at nearly 900 square feet.
“The fact that it was bigger allowed me to expand my product line,” Callan said. “It also gave me much more space for community events.” She had her eye on the future with residential development in every direction, especially at the Hunters Point South project. Business took off faster than expected. Now she is expanding her on-line service, something she hopes her Sunnyside customers will take advantage of.
“Everyone says they’re sad that I’m leaving, but I’m still hoping I can serve them,” Callan said. “I live in Sunnyside and I know where most of them live. I have no problem hand delivering to them, plus it’s a really short ride on the No. 7 train.”
Reach reporter Bill Parry by e-mail at bparr
