New Sayville Children's Store Creates Inviting Space For Kids

SAYVILLE, NY — Kids in Sayville have a new place to just be kids — and look stylish at the same time.

Kristin Whitcomb and Melissa Oliviero recently opened CoCo & Ro, a new children’s clothing store located at 49 Main St. in Sayville.

The business specializes in children’s clothing from a wide range of ages, from newborns to teenagers.

The duo told Patch that they came up with the idea for the store when they realized there wasn’t a place on Main Street for children to hang out.

“I remember as a kid coming to places like this in town,” Whitcomb said. “ I always felt like I could go and buy a sticker. I had something to do in town besides just sit outside. So I thought it was nice to try to bring that back.”

Whitcomb and Oliviero said the store offers a place where kids can come and enjoy themselves.

“Since we've been open, I have weekly teenagers. The three of them come, and we usually have little cookies. They'll sit in the front, and they can buy something for a couple of dollars.”

Oliviero told Patch that much thought went into the interior design of the store, calling it a “happy place.” The store is filled with bright colors, balloons, streamers, and smiley faces.

“We want people to come in here and smile,” said Whitcomb. “I'm not going to chase you out.”

The two said that they first became friends through their children. Whitcomb has a 10-year-old daughter and Oliviero has four children ages 13, 10, 6 and 15 months, they told Patch.

They soon realized that they had much in common. Both worked corporate jobs prior to raising their children, they said, and they both shared a passion for celebrating.

“Every holiday, we put things together, whether it's Easter to Halloween. We make a breakfast, we do a morning gift,” said Oliviero, who was a former buyer and merchandiser.

“We're always trying to make being young fun, and memorable,” added Whitcomb, who was a former accountant. She is also president of the Cherry Avenue PTA and is involved in Girl Scouts.

The duo intended to start up the store in 2019, and attended multiple trade shows to gather ideas. But when the pandemic hit, they had to put their dream on hold.

“That really slowed us down,” said Whitcomb. “And last spring, we just decided it was time. It was now or never — either we do it now or forget it.”

The friends said that their spot on Main Street is the perfect place to set up their business.

“Our kids ride their bikes up and down here,” said Oliviero. “When this became available, it felt right. We couldn't see ourselves anywhere else.”

Since their opening, the pair said they’ve felt welcomed by the community and the Chamber of Commerce. Many people visited the store after seeing Coco & Ro’s post on the Chamber’s Facebook page, they said.

"The Greater Sayville Chamber feels Main Street is now complete with this new addition of the fun and whimsical children's store and are so happy to welcome them," said president of Sayville Chamber of Commerce Eileen Tyznar

The plan have high hopes for the future, they told Patch, and hope to host children’s birthday parties.

“We're really lucky and we feel blessed to be able to have made it,” said Whitcomb. “It’s been sweat and tears — but we did it.”