i play., Inc. among nation's fastest-growing private companies, published in Inc. magazine

The i play. store at 233 Liberty St. will open its doors in the North Asheville neighborhood shops just off Merrimon and Chestnut on Wednesday, October 3rd. A ribbon cutting ceremony with the Asheville Chamber of Commerce is scheduled for Tuesday, October 2^nd from 4-5 pm and the Grand Opening party is scheduled for Saturday, October 20^th, to feature giveaways, a free gift with purchase, and lots of surprises.  

The i play. store is the first brick and mortar store for Asheville-based natural baby products company, i play. Inc., and will feature their award-winning brands for babies from birth up to 4 years—i play.® swimwear and apparel, and green sprouts® feeding products, toys, and baby care. 

 “We’re excited to open a store in Asheville because that’s where the company started, and where we’ve been for the last three decades. We’re proud to be a local business and to call Asheville home,” says Becky Cannon, i play. Inc. founder and president, “and we look forward to connecting to the families that come in to see us.”

The i play. store will focus on providing excellent customer service and will feature a friendly, knowledgeable, and enthusiastic staff. In addition to showcasing the latest baby products from i play.® and green sprouts®, the store will have an exclusive sales rack with deep discounts that bargain shoppers won’t want to miss. The store will also host a schedule of special events, classes, demos, focus groups, book readings and more, out of an additional room in the back.

As a mother of two, Cannon started i play., Inc. in 1982 as a mail-order catalog for Japanese woolen diaper covers that she operated out of her house. Celebrating their 30th anniversary this year, i play., Inc. is a local family-owned baby products company with hundreds of products and over 50 employees working out of the company headquarters in Woodfin. 

Together, Cannon and her daughter, Emi Kubota, who is Vice President of i play., Inc., work with their team to design, manufacture, market, and distribute a range of healthy and safe products for babies. A brand new food line, grow healthy®, essentials for making baby food at home, will launch next Spring, as will Cannon’s first book, grow healthy. grow happy: The Guide to Natural Baby Care. 

For more information on the i play Inc. family of brands and for updates on the book, store specials, and more, visit www.iplaybaby.com.