Po Po’s Ponchos
In 2007, owner and designer Karen Stark started Po Po’s Ponchos while on maternity leave with her first daughter. The reason? She was just bored while on mat leave and needed more stimulation and challenges. “I wasn’t trying to solve any problems at the time because at that time I didn’t even know what I needed for my little one!”
Even so, Karen had entrepreneurship and fashion on the brain. Prior to starting Po Po’s Ponchos, she co-founded Spend on Trend, a show for Canadian designers – mostly women’s clothing, jewellery and home decor – to showcase and sell their products. She’s also no stranger to needing clothing for an active lifestyle: Karen is an avid mountain biker and trail runner, whose biggest accomplishment on the bike was a seven-day, 700km race from Fernie to Canmore.
The company’s product offering is clear and simple, focusing on one product – the poncho for children aged zero to six years old. With prices varying from $46 to $66, the poncho is available in a variety of styles and in two main fabrics – a cozy micro fleece and a nylon to help keep out the rain. A reversible version is also available. Today, Po Po’s, which means “Grandma” in Chinese, is available from retailers across Canada- mainly smaller baby boutiques – or directly through its online store.
Po Po’s Ponchos
Po Po’s Ponchos is also available at these Metro Vancouver retailers:
Vancouver
- GumDrops, 2029 W 4th Ave
- Pebble Baby, 2675 Arbutus St
- Scallywags, Kids Market Granville Island, 21-1496 Cartwright St.
Coquitlam
- Babys World, #6 1300 Woodridge
North Vancouver
- Baby Eats, 143-1233 Lynn Valley Rd
- Boomers & Echoes, 1985 Lonsdale Ave
- Jack & Lola, 135 West 1st Ave [VancouverMom.ca reviewed]
- Room 6, 4389 Gallant Ave
West Vancouver
- Kiddie Kobbler, South Mall Park Royal, Upper Level
- Starfire, 6607 Royal Ave
