Double Rainbow isn’t a store you can dash in and out of. In fact, the store is specifically designed to give shoppers an experience that’s meant to be enjoyed, not rushed.
“I tried to design a space that’s very welcoming - that people would want to come in and hang out for a little bit,” said owner Meg Ratner. “A lot of my customers are interested in talking, and getting to know the store...so that’s been really nice.”
Ratner, the mother of three daughters (a 15-year-old and twin 12-year-olds), decided to open Double Rainbow when she realized there was a dearth of boutiques for children and adolescents in Northeast Ohio.
Double Rainbow, located in the Van Aken District, offers apparel and accessories for girls up to age 16, “with a little bit of ‘mom stuff’ thrown in there,” said Ratner. The store also has a customization bar, where shoppers can add personalized touches to select items.
Ratner curates the store’s offerings with her daughters’ tastes in mind.
“When I’m buying, I have in the back of my head what likes and dislikes my girls have had throughout different stages in their lives,” she said. “And then having a 15-year-old, I’m very aware of her wanting to look and feel more grown up than she is, so when I’m buying for that age - particularly for a special occasion - I’m always trying to find that balance between ‘it feels sophisticated’ and ‘mom’s going to give it the thumbs up.’”
Ratner’s method of choosing what to carry in her store has paid off. “I’ve been getting great feedback,” she said. In fact, one shopper’s mother told her, “This is the first time we’ve agreed on everything [my daughter] has tried on.”
The Van Aken District has proven to be the perfect neighborhood for Double Rainbow, a neighborhood where the local businesses support each other.
“Within the District, we’re all working to promote each other’s businesses,” Ratner said. “I think being in a location where you can do that with other businesses is key...it’s more fun.”
Double Rainbow is located in the Van Aken District at 3425 Tuttle Rd., Shaker Hts., OH 44122. It is open Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. and on Sunday, 12 - 4 p.m.
Photo credit: Julianna Arendash Photography
