New Los Altos store Growing Ivy offers gifts, essentials
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This article was originally written by Julia Baum and published in the Los Altos Town Crier.
A new children’s retail store that opened six weeks ago on State Street in downtown Los Altos is adding another family-oriented business to an area that continues to attract young families and independent retailers.
Growing Ivy, owned by Wendy Ye, specializes in clothing, shoes, gifts and everyday essentials for babies and children, with most items geared toward newborns through age 5. The store also carries a smaller selection for children up to age 10. The shop – which bears the name of Ye’s daughter – features a small play area for children and a curated mix of neutral and pastel-hued products that includes bathing items, accessories such as hair bows, and handmade goods, including plush toys from a maker in Sunnyvale and select items sourced from Europe and Japan.
Ye said she chose the State Street location after spending time in the area and noticing the high volume of families and child-focused businesses nearby.
“The first time I visited this location, I thought this might be the best location, because I saw many children with families,” Ye said, and realized there might be an opportunity to “provide some additional products for the parents and families here.”
A former business and financial reporter, Ye said the idea for Growing Ivy emerged after she became a mother and struggled to find children’s stores that met her expectations.
“When I became a mom in 2024, I was looking for shops for my own daughter,” she said, and ended up searching far beyond her own backyard for the items she wanted. After traveling to more than 50 countries with her daughter, Ye uncovered “a lot of great products … we think that we can fill a gap here for the Bay Area parents and families.”
The store aims to function as a one-stop destination for parents, offering more than just apparel.
“I just want to make it easy for parents to shop, because when you become a parent, your time becomes very valuable,” Ye said. “They can buy the most important things or essentials they need for their kid.”
In addition to retail, Growing Ivy positions itself as a community space. The store includes a children’s play area, and Ye plans to host parenting workshops and discussions.
“Many kids do enjoy their time here, especially on rainy days,” she said. “I do feel the space is not big enough … but we think we’ll find more ways.”
Scott Hunter, executive director of the Los Altos Village Association, said the opening reflects broader demographic shifts in the area.
“It’s not the first children’s store that we have in town,” Hunter said. “But certainly, I think it reflects the growing amount of younger families that we have in the area.”
Hunter added that family-oriented businesses contribute to downtown vitality.
“It adds to the vibrancy of downtown to have … customers of all ages,” he said.
Customers are already discovering the store organically. Lisa Forte, a local business owner who stopped in while shopping for her granddaughter, said the physical retail experience stood out.
“Coming in and seeing product, feeling product and supporting local is huge,” Forte said. “The presentation makes a difference … it was delightful to walk in.”
As downtown Los Altos continues to see relatively low vacancy rates, Growing Ivy adds a niche, child-focused concept to the mix – one Ye hopes will grow alongside the families it serves.
“I think building trust and getting a lot of good feedback are the most important metrics I’m looking for and I’m trying my best to do that.”