Willow Glen Resident

News

Black Eyed Pete's new owner will mix funky with classics

By Mayra Flores De Marcotte

Black Eyed Pete's has gotten a subtle facelift recently with a change in ownership, but new owner Tamar Strom said for the most part, the store will stay the same.

New to the neighborhood, and a mother with one child, Strom is keeping busy. She took over the children's store in February.

"We're keeping the things that everyone loves about it," Strom said. "We're just adding more to it."

One of those changes is keeping the name but tweaking the logo.

"The new signage is more eye-catching," said the Willow Glen resident. "I had received a lot of feedback from the public that they didn't really know what the store was from the sign, so I'm going to soften it up a bit."

Strom will also include more clothing and shoes for the children, as well as baby shower gifts.

"This way we could see them through their pregnancies and still see their kids afterward," she said.

When she bought the store, Strom liked the "funky" items the former owners carried but wanted to also carry some of the classics.

The grand opening ceremony will be May 20 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and product representatives and designers will be present to talk to customers.

"We are also going to have a tax-free day, and Classic Kids will be there taking free head shots," Strom said. "It's going to be fun for moms and their kids."

The store will also raffle a $400 gift certificate to Classic Kids and a $100 Baby Silk basket. All proceeds from the event are going to InnVision, which assists homeless women and children.

Black Eyed Pete's is at 1041 Lincoln Ave., 408.287.1945.