What you see - If there is one word that would describe Babies’ Wonderland the best, it would probably be a warehouse. Well, the tiny store is stocked with so many toys, clothes, books and baby care products that it looks more like a warehouse rather than a retail store. But it sure does business like a retail store if the various posters that have been displayed haphazardly in the premises are anything to go by. While one of those says, “Smile, it will not cost you much”, the other astutely points out, “Customer is the king. Kings never bargain.” Not surprisingly, the store manager follows both these axioms quite scrupulously.
To begin with, we struck gold at the modest parking area itself. Unfortunately, a tony location for the store could not ensure ample parking area with it. We were therefore lucky to find one for our vehicle. Nonetheless, we stepped into the store, only to be surprised by the number of wares that it can accommodate; though this huge variety has made it compromise on the circulation space for potential customers. Stacks of games, toys, clothes – you name it – clutter the store beyond imagination. Thankfully, sensing the bewilderment on our faces, the store executives instantly came to our rescue.
MetroMela was impressed by the marketing skills of the executives. The boys and girls at the store may not be the chic, English-speaking tie-flaunting personnel that you see at malls, but they sure are good at their job. They know their stuff and are sincere in their efforts to woo you as their customer, while being courteous all the way.
What you get - The toys and games that Babies’ Wonderland houses range from the globally popular Elmo to the locally celebrated Krishna. Conventionally famous toys like the battery-operated cars are also available here. Prams, tricycles, feeding bottles, baby lotions and shampoos can also be sourced from this shop.
After climbing up a rickety staircase (that cannot accommodate more than one person at a time) you reach the upper floor of the store which brims with garments for kids. Apart from the regular T-shirts, frocks, skirts and jeans, you could also take a look at the party-wear that they have. Well-designed blazers for the boys and ethnically cute ghaghras for girls (even of the age of 2) are worth a try. While the blazers cost about Rs. 1,500 and above, ghaghra cholis are worth over Rs. 1,000.
Babies’ Wonderland also provides decoration and entertainment services for kids’ parties. This includes decorating the house/hall with balloons and cut-outs and arranging a ventriloquist-cum-magician to entertain the kids for a couple of hours. You could choose between various themes of cartoon characters for the decoration. Balloons printed with the name of the birthday kid could also be arranged. The store manager informed us that he could also line up gifts for winners of games at the parties and recommend good caterers who specialize in food for this age-group.
On an average, for about 200 balloons, 20 cutouts and a ventriloquist-cum-magician’s services, you would have to shell out about Rs 3,500. Babies’ Wonderland prefers being booked at least three days in advance to make the necessary arrangements. And putting to rest our worries about whether they have had any prior experience in such services, the store manager informed us that they have been doing it for 8-10 years!
Our verdict - This diminutive store definitely has lots hidden in its fold! What’s more? You could even undertake their services for organizing your little one’s birthday bash.
Drive to – Babies’ Wonderland,
#8-2-630, RMK Plaza,
Crossroads of Road No. 1 & 12,
Banjara Hills,
Hyderabad-500034.
Call at – 040-23393885
Anytime between - 10 AM - 10 PM
Posted on: Jan 10, 2007
