For those of us who hate the trek to Montgomery to buy items that can’t be found in Greenville, Tulips and Tadpoles is a welcome addition to the Greenville shopping community.

The online store, which can be found at www.tulipsand tadpoles.com, is the fruition of Tammy Gaston’s dream to own a children’s clothing shop.

The Greenville native said she chose to put her shop online, instead of opening a physical store here in town, because she wanted to continue her full-time job as victim services officer with the District Attorney’s office.

&uot;I decided to open a children’s clothing store because I was spending so much money on my child that I thought everyone else must be, too,&uot; she said.

The new entrepreneur said she goes on buying trips to purchase items just like a store would.

&uot;I carry classic clothing that can be passed down from generation to generation,&uot; she said. &uot;Items you would find in the Children’s Shoppe or the Name Dropper in Montgomery; I carry the same brands they carry.&uot;

Gaston describes her web shop as a boutique, offering fine children’s apparel and gifts, such as smocked dresses, john johns, handcrafted heirloom pieces, playwear and holidaywear from brand names that include Anavini, Michael Simon, Silly Goose, Jen Jen, Mela Wilson and Well Received.

Local shoppers also can purchase the online items off-line from Gaston.

&uot;There are a lot of local people coming by to get baby gifts,&uot; she said. &uot;They can pick them up and save the shipping costs. They can just call, and I will take the order.&uot;

The website’s inventory includes clothing in sizes infant to 6x, with a few items up to 8, for girls, and sizes for infants to 4T for boys. Accessories, such as bibs, blankets and diaper bags, and free gift-wrapping also are available.

Customers who order online will have the items shipped out the next day, she said.

&uot;The site went up on Aug.1, and it’s doing really well,&uot; Gaston said. &uot;I also will have a booth at Oktoberfest this year to let everyone know I’m here.&uot;

Gaston said she wouldn't be able to offer the clothing without the help of her husband, Drew, who is responsible for maintaining the website.

&uot;He's the computer-savvy one,&uot; she said. &uot;He's a computer engineer, so taking care of the website is his job.&uot;

The site was developed by another Greenville native, David Corn, who recently graduated from the University of Alabama and now resides in Birmingham.

For the time being, the shop owner doesn’t plan on giving up her day job to open a boutique.

&uot;The website is working for me now,&uot; she said, &uot;and it allows me to keep my job, and I’m satisfied with it like that.&uot;

Gaston is a graduate of Greenville Academy and Auburn University.

For more information about Tulips and Tadpoles, call Gaston at 382-0488.