Store

Childhood: It's a synonym for rebellion and defiance, so why not flaunt it? That's what owner Kelly Buck does with Pop Tots, her Roosevelt store filled with vintage and designer clothing for rocker kids.

The front window beckons with a child's drum set, a child-size faux fur armchair and a chalkboard that says "ROCK 'N' ROLL PRE-SCHOOL." Inside, racks and rows of miniature clothes offer maximum attitude. Having trouble communicating with your toddler? These clothes say it all, from the Space Baby onesies that proclaim INFANTILE" in silver lettering, to the black diaper covers that spell "BOOTY CALL," "CHEEKY" or "BUM" across your little one's buns. The color scheme is predominantly red, black and hot pink.

Don't miss the Mini Maniacs bibs: black pleather with studs and matching armbands, or a vinyl-encased zebra print, complete with a staring doll's eye at belly-button level. Fleece ponchos in animal spots come with lampshade fringe, plaid shirts sport random zippers and bloomers come in polka dots or shiny leopard-skin material. Silkscreens of The Ramones and The Dead Kennedys grace tiny T-shirts, and Wee Rock offers a whole new alphabet: G is for Goth, M is for Metal, P is for Punk. Don't miss the T-shirt proclaiming "ANARCHY IN THE PRE-K," or the embroidered AC/DC logo altered to "AB/CD"by Dunlap. Two-headed dolls and amorphous monsters in bean-bag form mix in with the designer duds and retro games. A '70s high chair adds an innocent balance to so much irreverently wild wit.

Tip: Make sure you bring your sense of humor — some parents may not be amused by silkscreens of sexist mud flap silhouettes on their tots' torsos.

By Alison Peacock
Special to NWsource