A New Direction
Inclusive new Austin children's shop prepares to bedazzle South Congress
For more than a decade, Limbo Jewelry has ravished Austinites with its handmade earrings, rings, and necklaces. For the company's fourth shop, however, they are embarking in a dazzling new direction.
On November 1, the homegrown brand will launch Little Limbo, an "institute of inclusion" on South Congress Avenue. The new concept, the company's fourth in Austin, will be a thoughtfully sourced children's shop "filled with all things love and acceptance," including clothing, gifts, and decor designed for all.
"Our goal is to make Little Limbo a progressively positive and happy place," says co-owner Anne Rutt-Enriquez. "We hope to provide a retail experience unlike any other in Austin, where the space and products are able to open up a dialogue to inform and educate in a positive, impactful way."
At Little Limbo, the shop's items are curated to facilitate a sense of belonging and equality. Rutt-Enriquez says she hopes that by creating an inclusive retail space, the feeling will extend into Austin's greater community. "During these unsettling political times I think it is important to remember that we all breathe the same air and embracing our differences will make us all stronger. Tough conversations need to be had in order to pursue a more all-inclusive community," she says.
The inspiration for Little Limbo came after a particularly trying year for Rutt-Enriquez and her husband, Limbo designer and co-owner Edson Enriquez. In the wake of their experience, the couple decided to reprioritize, and in the process found that gratitude and giving were two things they wanted to focus on. As a reflection of that, Little Limbo will donate a portion of its sales to area nonprofits and host community events as part of its programming.
When Little Limbo opens its doors on South Congress Ave., it will be a continuation of the company's long-running relationship with the bustling shopping strip. The couple met on South Congress in 2006 while Rutt-Enriquez was a server at Vespaio and Enriquez was getting his start selling Limbo Jewelry at the restaurant's popular Vespaio Art Market.
In 2013, the brand expanded to include a storefront at 1604 South Congress Ave., and later opened Triple Z Threadz next door. (Limbo also has a shop in the Domain Northside.) "We love our community and want nothing more than to stay here as long as our landlords will let us," says Rutt-Enriquez.
Ultimately, Little Limbo hopes to use its prime location, arguably one of the best in Austin, to help facilitate the tough questions facing the ever-changing city.
“Diversity is a journey – and we aren’t kidding ourselves that Austin is close to it’s destination yet," Rutt-Enriquez said in a press release, a sentiment she later expanded on. "In a city such as Austin, it is pivotal to understand that we lack in some areas of diversity, and to reiterate the importance of making everyone feel welcome and supported."