Business is looking sunny for Yountville’s newest children’s boutique, Lemondrops. 

Hoping to follow in the footsteps of longtime previous tenant Hansel & Gretel, Lemondrops has opened in the former children’s store retail space inside V Marketplace.  

After 31 years, Napan Shirley Gulbransen retired as a vice president at Comcast in early 2009. But about seven months into retirement Gulbransen realized, “I needed something else to do … You can only clean your closets so many times. I was starting to get the itch,” she said.

A Hansel & Gretel customer, when Gulbransen heard the store was closing after 42 years in business, a light bulb went off in her head. “Within two weeks I had signed a lease and was shopping for inventory.” 

Two and a half months later, Gulbransen and her family had renovated and repainted the space. Working after hours, Gulbransen’s husband, Rob, and son-in-law, Charles Gibson, made all the hanging fixtures and large display cabinets. “It’s a family affair,” she said.

Lemondrops carries children’s clothing and shoes, but also bedding, furniture, toys and some books. Some of the retail lines are the same as Hansel & Gretel. Some are new. “We’ve expanded the store to be more of a one-stop shop for kids,” said Gulbransen. Clothing includes play clothes, dress up attire, hats, socks and tights, but also pajamas and christening gowns. Sizes run from newborn to 10.

Gulbransen said the store stocks “things you can’t find in a department store.”  

Toys are another new addition, she said. “The toy department is my husband’s love,” she said. “He claims it’s his domain,” she said with a laugh.  

Lemondrops can special order children’s cribs, furniture and specialty bedding. Along with newborn clothes, the store offers baby skin care products, towels and diaper bags.

Why the name Lemondrops? Gulbransen said her daughter, Wendy Gibson, thought of the name. A mom herself, “she said, ‘children are very sweet but sometimes a little sour just like lemondrops.’” The lemon theme is carried throughout the store, from yellow business cards to walls painted a soft yellow.

Gulbransen said working with her daughter has its advantages. As grandmother and mother, each offers their own perspective when ordering clothes, said Gulbransen. “Between the two of us we have a mix. It’s been a good combination for the store,” she added.

Lemondrops opened Oct. 1 and business is good, said Gulbransen. “We’ve exceeded our expectations.” She is optimistic about growing her business. “If you can make it in this economy, you’ll do fine no matter what happens.

“It feels good,” to be working again, said Gulbransen.

“We have a store where people come in with a smile and leave with a smile. It’s fun.”

Lemondrops Children’s Boutique & Gifts

V Marketplace

6525 Washington St.

Yountville

947-7057

lemondropsboutique.com