Our History
Kid-Nap is the largest Independent Nursery Store in the South-West of Scotland. Established in 1985, we have been looking after parents for over 35 years.
1985 business founded
This young business women and mother of Emily aged 9 months, first opened up in October 1985 after giving up her successful career as a department store manager. Having her first child she realised Dumfries needed a one stop shop supplying all baby good products. Kid-Nap was then born! She started in a little shop on Glasgow Road, Dumfries selling secondhand prams, buggies, bouncing chairs… anything you could want for your new arrival. Debbie then became so busy that every available inch of floor space was taken up.
1988 Kid-Naps New Premises
“K is for kiddies and K is for Kid-Nap.”
Business boomed forcing Debra Brown to move to a larger premises and take on four Part Time Members of Staff. Former Hotel ‘The White Swan’ where poet Rabbie Burns is said to have often called in for a drink or three. Then became ‘Andersons Antiques’ to then become the forever home of Kid-Nap based in 67-69 Queensberry Street where they are still today. Demand for Debbies goods soon became so high she had to branch into stocking New Products. This lead to big well known accounts such as Silver Cross, Mamas & Papas, McLaren, Bebe Comfort, Britax etc to land in store. Debbie also welcomed her second Daughter, Rosie into the world.
1995 10 Year Anniversary
Kid-Nap, Now the Largest Independent Retailer of Baby Goods in the South West of Scotland. Debbie openly admits that she has many people to thank for her success so far. Formost Anne McKie, Debbies Mum who helped look after her 2 Daughters Emily now aged 10 years and Rosie aged 7years while Debbie continued to build Kid-Nap. Credit has to go to all Kid-Naps Regular Customers and Friends for helping the store become a very unique destination for new mothers to be.
1997 Business accolade for Debbie
The Accolade of ‘Independent Business Of The Year 1996’ has been awarded to Kid-Nap.The Promotion was sponsored by The Dumfriesshire Newspaper Group, who invited their readers to nominate three businesses in the region deserving special recognition. Debbie Brown, who has developed her business over the last twelve years, still enjoys the challenges in a competitive area. “I am delighted with this award” she enthused, “ as we always strive to achieve the highest levels of personal service, backed by our extensive knowledge.”
1998 Debbie Picks Suzuki
Debbie was looking for a new vehicle to help run her busy Kid-Nap business in Queensberry Street, Dumfries. And just at that time Suzuki brought out their new Grand Vitara. Its load carrying capabilities and versatility were what finally persuaded her. A word with Border Cars and Debbie became the owner of the first ever Grand Vitara in Dumfries.
2005 Many Nappy Returns
Kid-Nap store Celebrates 20th Birthday.
From an idea by a new mother in the 1980’s to today’s status as the largest independent retailer of baby goods in the south west, Dumfries’ highly-successful business Kid-Nap is celebrating it’s 20th Birthday. A Second Generation of mothers are now following in their parents’ footsteps and finding Kid-Nap at 69 Queensberry Street, a one stop shop. Owner and Mother Debbie has seen her business grow over two decades. She gave up her job as a department store manager with the birth of her first daughter, Emily, and motherhood helped her realise a niche in the local market for a store selling baby equipment.
2006 Discocheque
A Charity disco night held in Dumfries raised £3,140 for Glasgow’s Yorkhill Hospital. More than 120 people turned up to Casa Mia Restaurant, dressed in 70’s costume. The event was organised by Debbie Brown of Kid-Nap and Michael Pattie of Pattie’s. Debbie Said “It was a great night. There was raffles and a good donation of prizes from local businesses. Michael and I both have personal connections for Yorkhill and we are more than happy with the amount which we raised.”
2015 … 30th Anniversary
30 Years and still going strong, Debbie is justifiably proud of Kid-Nap and what it has become. She is delighted to see new parents whose parents shopped here come to us. It’s nice to know that generations of babies have been brought up with equipment and accessories from Kid-Nap. Subtle changes have been happening throughout the years to the shop. We have brought in lots of new brands over the past few years including Joolz, Mima, Obaby, Tutti Bambini, Ergobaby, Matchstick Monkey etc. This means the shop is constantly up to date with all the current must-haves!
2020 Vision…
Things at Kid-Nap are very much still booming. Life today may be quite different from 35 years ago, but babies still need prams and cots, and parents will always appreciate the very personal service a local specialist and family-friendly shop like Kid-Nap offers.
Debbie and Sarah her Manageress are still thriving, continually bringing in lots of new products and exciting new ideas each year to the business. The Shop still has that very unique traditional feel as you walk in, as it did back in the early days. Service is still our upmost priority with now facing the challenge of Online Shops. We pride ourselves for the one to one personal service we give, making Kid-Nap stand out from the rest.
Now serving three Generations we often hear stories from some of Debbies very first Customers from back in the day. Debbie feels very humbled for all her loyal support over the years. Kid-Nap will continue to grow for many more years to come…