The genius of Genius Jones: SouthFlorida.com

If there were a typical baby store, Genius Jones would not be it. This high-end designer baby store was started by husband and wife Daniel Kron and Geane Brito on Miami Beach after their daughter Isador was born. "We wanted to bring our sense of design into our life with children and we felt that there were a lot of other people out there who were in the same boat as us who had recently become parents and were passionate about design," Kron says.

Many parents who are tired of traditional baby products like sports shirts for boys and princess sweaters for girls can find designer clothes for their young ones at Genius Jones - including Blondie and Ramones T-shirts, Nike Air Force One sneakers, jean jackets and other savvy-looking kids' duds.

"It's a different mentality of shopping," Kron says. Customers are "not looking for a thousand choices; they're looking for just great desgin, the best product in the category."

This store is one of the only places where parents can find a Bugaboo stroller, the "Rolls Royce" of strollers. Among the unique furniture offered at each store is a table with a chalkboard top that allows children to write on their table without parents throwing a fit.

Ariella Nevel and her mother Jane Nevel found themselves at the newer, larger Genius Jones store in the Miami Design District looking for a birthday present because they couldn't find what they were looking for at other baby stores.

"Everything for boys is race cars and sail boats," Ariella Nevel said. "I'm trying to find something more interesting [for my son] to wear."

Although its products may seem pricey, Genius Jones offers a wide variety of furniture, clothes and toys that are not found at children's department stores.

Besides the wide selection of clothes and furniture, Kron and Brito are most proud of their unique toy selection. None of the toys at Geniys Jones are battery-operated, and none make any mechanical or machine-like noises. Most of the toys are wooden and imported. Kron says theat the main reason for selling wooden toys is to inspire children to think creatively.

Genius Jones also offers a large selection of children's world music. "We try and sell real music for kids," Kron says. "Childhood is a time to introduce kids to good stuff...so you might as well familiarize them with stuff that is really going to train their ear to listen and to think."

Like their classic designer furniture and clothing, Genius Jones offers classic customer service to all of their customers. Before buying, customers are trained how to work and operate the product they are purchasing. In addition to that, Genius Jones will deliver purchases to a customer's home and set them up.

"We try and offer modern products with old-fashioned customer service," Kron says.

Genius Jones even takes phone orders at 866-GENIUS-J. Products can also be seen and purchased online.

Genius Jones
Miami Design District
49 NE 39th St., Miami
South Beach
1661 Michigan Ave., Miami Beach
www.geniusjones.com
305-571-2000

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