CGB is Closing

It is with a very heavy heart that I am announcing the closing of CGB.

I'm so grateful for the 4.5 years we've been able to serve the Salem community and beyond. Many of you are like family to me and I'm so glad we've had the opportunity to learn from one another.

Thankfully, a few wonderful Salem shops are stepping up to take over some of our ventures.

Mighty Aphrodite Maternity is a wonderful resource for expecting mothers and will take over the lending library that we've been building. Borrow some books, purchase your maternity clothes and utilize Brett's knowledge. She is an amazing resource and can offer dynamic support for both the expecting and post-partum mom.

The unique classes that CGB has always offered can now be found at Green Tea Yoga. And it's a perfect fit - Segue directly from HypnoBirthing to Prenatal Yoga.

And for our loyal CSA-ers, check in with Milk & Honey. They are working on becoming the new Salem host site, another perfect fit. Pick up your week's fruits & veggies while also collecting your groceries.

These three local shops are just a few examples of the dynamic and thriving Salem community. Please remember that to maintain our exciting and diverse downtown, we must all shop local. It's not just about the products for sale or the classes offered, its about supporting one another and the unique character of Salem.

Although our brick-and-mortar store is already gone (as is the web store), we'll be maintaining our blog, FB, and Twitter as a resource for parents. And if you have questions about cloth diapering, babywearing, or anything else crunchy.... I'm here for you.

Thank you all for your love and support over the years. I will certainly miss you all.

Peace, Love & Fond Memories.

Jennie

Happy Holidays 2010

Jennie and Amy of Crunchy Granola Baby wish you all a happy holiday season!

(And thanks to Tabitha Sherrell for these hilariously entertaining photos...Check out more of of her work here.)

Holiday Hours 2010

CGB is thrilled that the 2010 holiday season is upon us. We look forward to spending time with you, our customers, and our families. So please note the holiday hours below:

• Christmas Eve: 10AM - 3PM
• Christmas Day: Closed
• New Years Eve: 12PM-3pm
• New Years Day: 12PM-5PM
• *And don't forget that CGB is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays for the brisk winter months, but you can always shop online www.crunchygranolababy.com

Gift Ideas (via Patch)

Looking for some cool gift ideas for the kids in your life? Well of course CGB can help! But so can Salem Patch, a new website about Salem run by professional editors, writers, photographers and videographers.

In a recent article, Patch highlights some great gift ideas like a sock monkey from MonkeyShines Studio (available at CGB), "A Walk Through Salem" storybook (also available at CGB), and Sophie the Giraffe (at Hip Baby Gear). Check out the full list here.

And if you really want help picking out a fun and unique gift for the crunchy granola baby in your life, stop CGB and let Jennie, Amy or Jess help you out!

Bamboosa is Back!

All your favorite Bamboosa products are back! Swing by the shop and stock up on hooded towels, crib sheets, socks, hats and blankets! Or shop online!

Twitter Tuesday!

Sure, we're closed on Tuesdays. But you can still be part of the CGB family! Head on over to Facebook or Twitter and take part in Twitter Tuesday!

Just tune into CGB on Facebook or Twitter and answer our weekly question. Maybe we'll ask about your holidays, or your favorite game. Perhaps we're curious what your favorite food is, or whether your son/daughter enjoys gardening.

Answer the question and your automatically receive a chance to win a prize! At the end of the day, we'll randomly choose one winner from all the answers and send a great CGB product to the winner.

It's easy, fun and you could win some great crunchy swag.

*PS: How much do you love Marek Sotak's Human Twitter Icon? Adorable!

Promotions! Promotions! Promotions!!

Receive 15% off all purchases (including sale items!) Friday, Saturday and Sunday! Get your Holiday gifts this weekend and save big! (and we have tons of new inventory, Baby Legs, Eco-art ornament kits, and more!)

This just in from Mayor Driscoll:

As the holiday season approaches, the City is encouraging residents to shop locally and support the local business community. Today, I proclaimed the Friday, Saturday and Sunday following Thanksgiving “Local Business Weekend” to remind shoppers of the many shopping options in Salem and, to celebrate the City is offerin...g FREE parking in our two garages and at the Church Street lot. So get an early start on your holiday shopping and support our local economy at the same time!

Black Friday Promotions!

On Black Friday 62 Restaurant & Wine Bar is offering free apps to anyone who can produce a receipt of $35.00 or more from a small boutique, shop, gallery, or any other small business located in Salem.

Thank you 62!!

Small Business Saturday!

A day to come together in support of the small businesses we love.
The businesses that are the heartbeat of our communities and local economies.
That day is November 27, 2010—the first-ever Small Business Saturday^SM.
Join the movement, spread the word.
Be sure to become FB fans @ http://www.facebook.com/SmallBusinessSaturday?ref=ts&v=app_165267296827487


Exciting stuff going on all around town!
Shop and dine local!!

Celebrating Green in Salem!

Crunchy Granola Baby wins Best in Class Green Salem Business Challenge 2010 Charter Program!

These Green Salem Business Challenge winners were chosen for “Best in Class” or “Honorable Mention” by distinguishing themselves as the greenest in their respective size classes. Winners were chosen by a panel consisting of members of the sponsoring organizations.

Awards will be presented by Mayor Kimberley Driscoll and Salem Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Rinus Oosthoek at a ceremony at Salem Old Town Hall in Derby Square on Thursday, November 18th at 2pm. The honorees by category are as follows:

Category One (1 owner-employee)
Best in Class: Green Tea Yoga
Honorable Mention: Acupuncture Center of Salem; Kim Indresano Photography

Category Two (1 to 5 employees)
Best in Class: Crunchy Granola Baby
Honorable Mention: The Phillips House/Historic New England; Salem Sound Coastwatch

Category Three (6 to 50 employees)
Best in Class: Armstrong Field Real Estate
Honorable Mention: Joe Green Home Solutions; Merchant Consulting Group

Category Four (over 51 employees)
Best in Class: Salem State University
Honorable Mention: Crosby’ Marketplace; Bioengineering Group

Congratulations to all the wonderful businesses who work to be green!

Closed

Crunchy Granola Baby will be closed on Sunday, October 17. We apologize for any inconvenience and look forward to seeing you on Monday!



And don't forget: The Three Hour, Learn Everything Breastfeeding Class is Monday evening at 6:30. Learn more here and register directly with Kathy at 978-922-4289 or abbottkathy@comcast.net

We ♥ Locals.

Sure, we love Salem during Halloween season. All the excitement, events, and new people ... but we also really love our locals.

And to prove it, we're giving Salem locals 15% off their total purchase* throughout the month of October. So don't let the crowds keep you from downtown... we would miss you!

*excludes diapers

CGB is Hiring!

Crunchy Granola Baby is looking for an enthusiastic and motivated individual to join our team!

As a growing retail outlet, we’re looking for outgoing candidates with a passion for natural living. We are well-known for our superior customer service, so applicants should enjoy working with people, especially children. Applicants should also be self-motivated and driven individuals with a desire to excel.

Applicants should also have a passion for merchandising our ever-growing collection of products, be computer-literate, and be willing to help with our behind-the-scenes work, such as event organization, web maintenance, social networking, etc.

Part times sales consist of providing customer service, and applicants should also have the flexibility and availability to work day, evening and weekend shifts.

Other Responsibilities:

• Love talking with people? You should relish in assisting customers because, trust us, we have some of the best customers.
• Prefer a clean house? We need somebody who doesn’t mind a little cleaning and light lifting.
• Interested in learning more about natural living and parenting? You should be willing to educate yourself about our products and their benefits.
• Are you community-oriented? We need an individual who wouldn’t mind helping out at workshops and events.

If all this sounds like you, please send resume and / or letter of interest to crunchygranolababy@verizon.net. No phone calls please.

More about Crunchy Granola Baby: CGB is a unique Salem shop that specializes in organic and natural items for babies and young children. But we’re also much more than a retail shop – we see ourselves as a community resource. Some of what we offer includes: classes and workshops in birth, breastfeeding, newborn care, parenting and healthy living; support and play groups for families; along with various fundraisers, events and community outreach.

Labor Day Sale

Save 25% storewide on Monday, Sept. 6 in celebration of Labor Day!*

*Sure, some restrictions apply. But why not stock up on organic clothes, babywearing, and more?!

Welcome Baby Ben!

"I had an amazing birth! Ben William was born at 8:35am on September 3, 8lbs 2 oz, 21 1/2 inches long at 42 weeks and 3 days! He was born posterior (Ouch) and in his amniotic sac. : ) There was nothing like being surrounded by amazing women who got me through this birth! Tara Kenny , Audra Karp and Keela Bourgoin , with out them I might still be pushing. Thanks to Tom and Tommie for their support too, I couldn't have done it without them! I can't wait to share this birth story!!" - Jennie

PS: And since no one guessed the correct gender, birthday and weight in our "Baby Forecast," we randomly chose a winner from those people whose guesses were the closest. Congratulations to Leslie Levesque, the recipient of a coupon for 40% off one product at CGB!

The Safe Cosmetics Act of 2010

A Note from Emily Skin Soothers (Ipswich, MA):

"A few weeks ago, The Safe Cosmetics Act of 2010 (HR 5786) was introduced by Congressman Ed Markey (MA) and a few other congress persons. It would likely put small cosmetics manufacturers like myself (and maybe some of your other favorite companies)out of business.

Though well meaning, the bill calls for reporting, testing and labeling requirements for Cosmetics that would be extremely burdensome, costly and prohibitive to small companies that already make clean cosmetics. The big companies that make the cheap and potentially dangerous products have the resources to comply and would be able to jump through the hoops.

The bill has been pushed by the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics who are using scare tactics like the Story of Cosmetics to inflame the public's fear. They'd like to overregulate and overhaul the whole industry with no regard for companies like ours. There are simpler ways to regulate that would not harm small businesses.

I believe that if the bill passes and hurts the small, green cosmetic companies it will also have extremely negative consequences for many of the small independent health food stores that you shop at.

In Europe over 1000 harmful or suspect ingredients are banned from cosmetics. In the USA, there are less than 20 banned. Wouldn't it be easier to have a list of known harmful and banned substances and enforce it? Would more cumbersome regulations keep us safer, or just be a big waste of time?

I hope you'll consider signing this petition against the ACT here. Thanks for your time and consideration." - Mike Arsenault, founder of Emily Skin Soothers

Jennie's Baby Forecast

CGB is Hiring!

Crunchy Granola Baby is looking for an enthusiastic and motivated individual to join our team!

As a growing retail outlet, we’re looking for outgoing candidates with a passion for natural living. We are well-known for our superior customer service, so applicants should enjoy working with people, especially children. Applicants should also be self-motivated and driven individuals with a desire to excel.

Applicants should also have a passion for merchandising our ever-growing collection of products, be computer-literate, and be willing to help with our behind-the-scenes work, such as event organization, web maintenance, social networking, etc.

Part times sales consist of 10-20 hours a week providing customer service, but applicants should also have the flexibility and availability to work evening and weekend shifts.

Other Responsibilities:

• Love talking with people? You should relish in assisting customers because, trust us, we have some of the best customers.
• Prefer a clean house? We need somebody who doesn’t mind a little cleaning and light lifting.
• Interested in learning more about natural living and parenting? You should be willing to educate yourself about our products and their benefits.
• Are you community-oriented? We need an individual who wouldn’t mind helping out at workshops and events.

If all this sounds like you, please send resume and / or letter of interest to crunchygranolababy@verizon.net. No phone calls please.

More about Crunchy Granola Baby: CGB is a unique Salem shop that specializes in organic and natural items for babies and young children. But we’re also much more than a retail shop – we see ourselves as a community resource. Some of what we offer includes: classes and workshops in birth, breastfeeding, newborn care, parenting and healthy living; support and play groups for families; along with various fundraisers, events and community outreach.

Meet the CGB Staff!

Since our fearless leader will be M.I.A. for some of the summer months (as well as the fall), the CGB staff wanted to formally introduce ourselves.We're all very enthusiastic Crunchy Granola Baby-ers and Jennie has trained us well, so please feel free to direct any questions/comments/ideas to Amy, Erin, or Kim. After all, Jennie needs to concentrate on getting ready for the newest addition to her family!

Amy Tetreault is Crunchy Granola Baby's manager and marketing guru, as well as a marketing/pr coordinator at Tree Care Industry Association and freelance journalist. With a bachelors in communications and a masters in journalism, her work has appeared in various publications, particularly North Shore Art Throb. When she's not staring intensely at her iBook screen, Amy is reading, exploring, listening to NPR, riding her Giant bicycle, enhancing her concert resume, and plotting her next travel adventure. Learn more about Amy at her website, http://amytetreault.weebly.com/.

Erin LeColst has been working at CGB intermittently for two years now. Erin is a history teacher for both middle school and high school students and an avid sewer. She makes everything from quilts to cloth diapering accessories! After having a baby, she took some time off from teaching and now works part time at CGB. She is passionate about veganism, politics, history, and the environment...plus she loves to discuss cloth diapering, breastfeeding, and birth stories. Crunchy Granola Baby is a perfect fit!

Jennie's Prenatal Appt.

CGB owner Jennie Cudmore got a prenatal visit from her midwife Tara Kenny right here in the store! Learn more about Tara here.

Kleen Kanteen Sport Cap Recall

Heads up: Kleen Kanteen has recalled its Sport Cap 2.0. Read the company's statement below:

"For safety reasons and in cooperation with US Consumer Product Safety Commission, Klean Kanteen is recalling the Sport Cap 2.0. Klean Kanteen® has received six consumer reports relating to the spout tip of Sport Cap 2.0 breaking or cracking after being dropped, which could pose a possible choking or ingestion hazard. There have been no incidents of actual choking or ingestion reported.

We at Klean Kanteen apologize both for the inconvenience and the resource footprint of this recall. We take the health and environmental aspects of our products very seriously and the mere possibility of our product harming someone gave everyone at Klean Kanteen pause. The decision to recall and replace caps was really the easy part, running a smooth replacement program is the challenge we now are rising to. We really appreciate your patience and understanding; we'll get you your new Sport Cap(s) as quickly as possible."

If you have a Sport Cap 2.0, please click here for information on their return procedure. Any questions, please feel free to contact CGB at 978.741.0800.

Jennie Named 1 of the North Shore 100!

Congratulations to our very own Jennie Cudmore who was named one of the North Shore 100!

Each year The Salem News compiles a list of 100 local leaders, businesspeople and volunteers making a difference in their communities.

Karen Anderson, publisher of The Salem News, says "...our great surroundings didn't all happen by accident. People are responsible for our vibrant North Shore. People here care, and give back, and go the extra mile for their neighbors. North Shore 100 ... salutes those people who work day in and day out to make our lives better."

Congratulations to Jennie and all her wonderful

[ Photo by Deborah Parker ]