25 Apr 2010 Daughter provides inspiration for store

“One of the biggest inspirations is your children,” he said. “We had six baby showers before Lucy was born. There was a lot of love and support for that child. We got a lot of great stuff at these showers. Really unique things – some things that would even make me cry. Who knew that, through merchandise, you could really touch somebody? That’s what got my wheels turning that it would be nice to have a shop.”

Lucy was also the inspiration for the name of the store.

“When she started talking, she would ask for something. I would say, ‘Absolutely you can have that,’” he said. Haynes thought ‘absolutely’ was such a commonly used word that if he could get people to say “AbsoLucy,” they would remember his brand.

Haynes decided to locate in Maumelle because it did not have anything like what he was planning and because the area has many young families.

Jena Compton, a friend and mother of a 3-year-old boy and a 7-year-old girl, went to market with Haynes to provide a mom’s perspective.

“It was a little overwhelming,” she said. “We wanted to have a lot of price point. We wanted to carry very traditional things but also some of the more trendy things. We wanted a very wide assortment for every person. I love all the clothes. In fact, I try not to buy too much. I tell Marc it’s not fair to take all the inventory.”
Haynes said, “Going to market for the first time was one of the scariest things ever for me. Not only are you spending a lot of money, you’re trying to figure out what’s going to sell. I put a unique mix together. Everyone could leave that store with something and be happy with it.”

Compton added, “We’ve tried to differentiate ourselves by carrying the trendy clothes and having a good assortment of gift items. We’ve tried to fill a need in Maumelle … as well as across Central Arkansas in terms of what we carry.”

AbsoLucy offers pettiskirts, which have become popular for little girls to wear at their birthday parties or other special events.

“That is a very unique gift purchase for a child,” Haynes said. “One lady called, and her child had worn her little skirt at her birthday; and she said, ‘Mommy, I feel so pretty.’ That just melts your heart. My mother and sister bought one for Lucy’s first birthday, so I sought those out to make sure we carried them.”

Haynes noted he also carries a collection of sock monkeys and sock monkey merchandise, which “are just adorable” for little boys.

The store opened its doors on Jan. 4 with a grand opening on Feb. 6. Haynes said local artists began stopping by with samples of their hair bows, embroidery and other items.

“I started looking at those products compared to similar ones I had bought at market. Not only is the work better quality, it’s more unique. Having a partnership with local people is important to me. I want people to have a place to sell things they make, and I can help keep some money in our local economy,” Haynes said.

Lindsay Spivey of Little Rock, a full-time sales associate at AbsoLucy, said the handmade items include Swarovski crystal and freshwater pearl necklaces and bracelets, beaded lamps, monogrammed items, a large selection of hair bows and more.

In an effort to promote good customer relations, Haynes started the “Lucy Goosey” return policy, which allows customers to return used clothing. In exchange, the customer receives 25 percent of the purchase price in an in-store gift card. Haynes said he will resell some of the returned items at a discount and donate others.

Looking toward the future of the store, Haynes is considering starting a private label line and has been talking to a designer.

“That is very exciting to me,” he said.

He will also be enjoying watching Lucy grow and change every day.

“I have loved being in charge of her development, health and safety,” he said. “It’s the best part of my life. All parents think their child is the prettiest or the smartest. That’s what makes us parents. She amazes me on a daily basis. She’s definitely the best thing going.”