The Sonny Bear Necessities

You’ve either got Sonny Bear, or you haven’t…

here’s no question that this generation of kids are far, far cooler than their parents ever were…

Technology has given them a portal into the past, and the future, and therefore a much better idea of where they fit in.

And, more importantly, what fashions actually work for them. And the season.

Which may explain why Sonny Bear Kids over in Fishers of Newtown is doing so well. The stylish sprog about town can find anything they might need here, from fine, funky clothes to fun, eco-friendly toys.

And how did this little haven of happy come about? Here’s founder Lynda Murphy to explain all…

I’m the proud mum to two grown-up girls (and our lazy Labrador, Benjy), When I’m not running Sonny Bear (which isn’t often!) I love to get outdoors and hike in the nearby Wicklow Mountains. I love reading, food and travel too.

When I was younger, I studied for a career in social services and it’s a field I enjoyed working in for many years. However, when my two daughters were young, I decided to give up that career to focus on being a full-time mum. I always enjoyed choosing clothes for the girls when they were younger, and this developed into something of a passion of mine (though my husband would probably use the word ‘obsession’).

I still have lots of the clothes I bought for the children when they were very little, right from their Christening robe to their little winter coats and scarves. I’m not a hoarder by nature, but I really can’t bear to let any of these little childhood mementos go. I also keep a little memories box, which is packed with photographs and little reminders of events when the girls were small.

As a result, I have harboured for many years a secret desire to open my own boutique for children. However, life back then always seemed too busy to even think about exploring the idea of making this become a reality.

It was when the girls went off to college and I began to have some time to myself that I began to seriously think about this idea again, so I went to work on a plan…

After much research and will-I-won’t-I moments, I took the plunge and launched Sonny Bear in the spring of 2018.

It’s been a rollercoaster journey so far and, to be honest, it’s been far more challenging than I first imagined. The learning curve has been steep, to put it mildly.

While I like to think I always had a good eye for quality children’s wear, the business end of things was completely alien to me. Dealing with suppliers, travelling to meet designers, branding, packaging, not to mention creating a website (twice!) was all a bit daunting but, somehow, I’ve managed to create a business that I’m now very proud of.

All the items we stock have been chosen by me with many being exclusive to Sonny Bear in Ireland. I am very focused on delivering real sustainable products, with an emphasis on long- lasting, timeless clothes and accessories that can be handed down through generations.

Our youngest girl suffered from eczema when she was a child, so I was always keen to find the best quality natural materials that wouldn’t irritate her sensitive skin and this experience definitely informs my choices when I’m selecting ranges to stock. Much of our inventory is hand-made and GOTS-certified and all is sustainably produced and ethically sourced.

Oh, and the name? Horses played a big part in our family life, and most of our spare time when the children were growing up was spent at the yard or travelling around Ireland to various competitions. When the girls reached their Leaving Cert and college years, they no longer had time to ride so we make the tough decision to find new homes for their two gorgeous eventers… which were called Sonny and Bear.

If you would like to learn more about Sonny Bear, subscribe to our email list to be the first to know about any news or offers.

You can find Sonny Bear at Fishers of Newtown, check ’em out online here, and follow on Instagram here or Facebook here. You can also get in touch directly on email here or call 0863750236.