Fit for TWO – For Maternity and More
By Jan Lane Harper
Oh, to be a mother-to-be, if only for the joy of shopping at Fit for TWO. No time in a young woman’s life is as exciting as the anticipation of having a baby, and no place nearby is as enticing as this young boutique on Frederica Road. In only 1,000 square feet, owner Hollis Youngner has managed to assemble an inventory to meet the needs of mothers-to-be and to offer all the essential items desired during this special time.
Perusing the maternity and nursing inventory was an education in itself. There were things unimagined and unmentionable: Belli, a line of specialty cosmetics; Bella Bands, for tummy support and coverage between jeans and casual tops; Spanx, pantyhose for mothers-to-be; Hooter Hiders, for – well, you figure that one out; and an array of luxurious and functional lingerie. As Hollis said, “Fashion for mothers-to-be is fun, stylish, and practical.” She pointed out a rack of tops, noting, “Those tee shirts are only slightly longer in front, so you can still wear them after the baby comes.” Hollis is proud of the fact that a lot of these clothes are “not screaming maternity.” She was wearing a flared skirt with a bubble hem. “This is actually a maternity skirt,” she confessed, “and I recently sold one like this to a customer who also was not pregnant.” Of course the apparel includes traditional maternity lines, such as Japanese Weekend, Olian, and Ripe, and outfits from casual to dressy. It also includes a colorful line of tee shirts, boldly stamped with the approaching due month. “Those are among my favorites,” Hollis said. “We also have lots of bathing suits, to cover as much or as little as desired,” she interjected with a smile. Tempting for all shoppers is an eclectic assortment of jewelry; novelty gift items include small books of relevant humor.
Fit for TWO is much more than just a boutique for the mother-to-be. It’s also a place to shop for newborns and toddlers. From Green Pea baby pouches to the well-respected lines of Pixie Lily, bella bliss, and Feather Baby, there’s a bit of everything – layette items in lush fabrics and soft colors and toddler attire, including delicately smocked dresses and playful rompers. For the baby Bulldog, there’s a bright collection of red-and-black, logo-accented items to proclaim team allegiance.
Special touches for the nursery are all around. Unique rope and spindle picture frames just wait for those first photos to be snapped by new parents. In fact, in this attractive shop most everything is for sale, including the appealing display tables, functional cubbies, and charming curio shelves that can also be special ordered in a variety of colors. Not for sale are the precious peek-a-poo puppies that accompany Hollis to work each day. These wee bundles of fluff play in their gated area behind the counter, and they are only a bit younger than this specialty boutique itself.
Proclaiming to be “the area’s only chic boutique for mothers-to-be, infants, and kids,” Fit for TWO opened in September 2006, and Hollis describes her occupation as “a happy job.” The journey that led to this destination began in 2000 when, as a college student at The University of Georgia, she had a summer job on St. Simons Island and met her future husband, an islander who was also a UGA student. After graduation, Hollis moved to the island in 2004 and taught elementary school students. She and Josh Youngner married in June 2006, and Fit for TWO opened three months later. Josh continued his studies and has just recently completed his master’s degree in architecture from the Savannah College of Art and Design. Although Hollis is no longer in education, she has stayed involved and currently mentors five of her former students, some mornings before she opens the shop and also on her days off.
There may not be a baby in your future, but Fit for TWO should still be on your shopping itinerary. Surely you know someone who is furnishing a nursery or dressing a newborn or a toddler. If not, just stop by and enjoy looking at all the lovely things now available for that special time. I’m betting you’ll discover something irresistible.
