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t's um every day you see a Iii,? made out of diapers The same would apply for a pizza. But a Waterloo woman has managed to mm a des- perately needed necessity for any new mother into a creatively cute and whimsi- cal gift-giving idea. New baby-ite/fi busifiess flourishes with hm food themes Helen Mahy. 45, was happy In announce the birth of her new baby store, Diapers n' More. 380 King fit. N.. in Waterloo. last Thurs- day. Her store. which offers all of the essentials that any baby store would typically have. also specializes in multi-layered diaper cakes. diaper pizzas. diaper hero submarine sandwiches. and the ultimate new dad's tool- heh for when it comes time to changing those stinky diapers. 'One diaper pizza, pllerye' The gifts. which can sound a bit strange or absurd at first, actually pose as the perfect creative solu, tion for baby showers or new baby gifts. especially since one of the most important things parents will always need to have is a steady supply of diapers. "We have a lot of parents who are having twins or Iriplets and say they already have so much stuff from their previous babies. so what they really need is dia, BY RYAN (human, for rhe t hronirle pers." Muhy Explained "fltis makes a "we gift because it presents really well, and the biggest reac- tion people have to it is that it's a unique gift to give. Nobody's going to bring this." The large multi-layered cakes, which resemble tradi- tional large wedding cakes, can consist of as much as 71 diapers. a teddy bear. fork and spoon set. baby bottle. rattle. face cloths. frames. Pacifiers, baby booties - all methodically placed in a cir- cular setting and built into an original design that will definitely be the hit of any baby shower. The original diaper piz- ms, served up in a card, board pizza box, are also popular gift-giving favourites, as well as a hero submarine diaper sandwich assembled into a formulat- ed design of diapers careful,. ly piled on top ofeach other. - -AithouhMahy's store- front business has just got- "My sister just thought, why don't we make a cake out of them r' - Helen Mahy nurnw BUSINESS ten off the ground, it was much earlier when she began selling her diaper fund creations at the Water- [on Farmers' Market and St lacuh’s Market as a way to orient her idea into a facility which is surrounded by actual food for sale. "The idea first happened (to make food out of dia, pvrsl when we got this transport truckload of dia- pens and (my sister and " tried to figure out a way that we could market them," Mahy explained. "My sister just thought. well why don't we make a cake out of them. and ideas just started from that." While these quirky gift ideas may seem ideal for all new moms. Mahy has also made sure she didn't forget that new dads are just as important too. "Everybody was always saying they loved our gifts for moms. but we didn't have anything special to give dads as well." said Mahy. "So we sat down and came up with this." Mahy designed the new dad's mulbeh, complete with a brand name Cooney mulbell. The package includes several comical needs for any dad when it comesto changing diapers, complete with diapers. baby wipes, goggles, shower cap. apron and tongs. "We sell (fume a bit of these and they get a good laugh out of every one," Mahy said. "And afterwards, they have a good quality toolbell that they can use after the gag gift is finished." Store owner Helen Mahy (left) and her sister, Linda McDade, who came from the Yukon for her sister's grand opening (eh ebrations, stand beside a large "It's a troy!" diaper cake. The {my straw which prompted Mahy to branch off into her own business came when she realized she would need an actual store- front location to keep up with the demand she was receiving. not to mention that it was a passion she wanted to pursue for the Kw: u (ONNE t L PHOTO past 23 years. So when the company that Madly was working with for several years decided to downsize. it became an opportune time for her to follow her dream. The small baby store offers a welcoming envimn, ment as soon as you step through the doors. manag- ing to cram as much prod- uct into the small storefront with creative displays. Mahy's store also special- izes in several other needs for new and expectant par- ems; from diapers to cribs. strollers. pacifiers. baby clothes and everything in between. The back of the store fea- tures a Children's play area where a small television plays cartoons with a few toys to help keep them entertained while the par- ents can browse at their leisure. A crib is also avail- able for small infants or babies, as well as a rocking chair should a new mommy need to nurse their baby. The play area features a large mural painted by local artisan Todd Manuel, of the Mural Man, which glorifies the back wall of the store with a treehouse play- ground with raccoons play- ing happily. ‘Maihy’s business also takes customer service one Continued on page 24