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Smallest Details & A Mom's Love - Caroline's Cart

By
Services for Real Estate Pros with Casual Uncluttering LLC

The smallest details can make a huge difference for my clients: clear bins or opaque, color-coded manila folders or no folders at all, sort the spices by alphabet or cuisine...  It's always about making my clients as independent, powerful and self-sufficient as possible.

 

I came across a Facebook post about Target offering Caroline's Carts in its stores and just had to trace the story further. The carts are explicitly built to hold older children and adults in a shopping cart in a seat similar to the seat for very young children. Those older "riders"  are typically special-needs individuals in the company of their caregivers, who might not otherwise be able to shop. Target is bringing carts to all of its stores. Other retailers from Fred Meyer here in Washington to the East Coast's ShopRite offer them. The carts are joyfully received by families with differently-abled members. Quotes such as "This simple cart literally will change how we can shop, not having to worry as to how we are going to get [Savannah] into a store" on Target's Facebook page are testimony to the impact of the "smallest" details.

 

Carolyn Long is a youngster with Rett Syndrome, a condition which affects every aspect of the life of someone suffering from it. Carolyn's mother Drew Ann Long invented the cart because she refuses to leave her daughter out of everyday routines like shopping. I cannot adequately express my admiration for Ms. Long in her determination to comprehensively encourage and include her daughter. I enjoy, respect and care about my clients. But a Mom's love outshines.

Hannah Williams
HomeStarr Realty - Philadelphia, PA
Expertise NE Philadelphia & Bucks 215-820-3376

Thanks for the information Lauren Williams, CPO  very interesting . I have not seen any in my area as of yet but I am sure I will

May 02, 2018 12:38 PM
Lauren Williams, CPO

Hannah Williams The carts seem to be getting introduced on a store-by-store basis as customer requests build momentum. I find that rather a shame. Wouldn't it be wonderful if the carts were in stores proactively, so consumers who didn't know about them could just discover them. To be fair though, for all I know, the manufacturing process itself may have to pace out the distribution process.

May 02, 2018 12:48 PM
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Lauren,

What a great story, and I hope that the manufacturing process speeds up, so that more moms can take advantage of this. A

May 02, 2018 01:21 PM
Lauren Williams, CPO

Ron and Alexandra Seigel You and me both!

May 02, 2018 01:33 PM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Lauren- I was not familiar with this but I'm going to be keeping my eyes open for them in our Targets. It's a wonderful way of reaching out to say you care, isn't it?

May 02, 2018 06:25 PM
Lauren Williams, CPO

Kathy Streib What excites me is that I think there could be so many more applications for this - I can't see why schools, summer camps, nursing homes couldn't also creatively use them. I've seen a post of someone shopping with her 91-year-old Mom.

May 02, 2018 07:05 PM
Kat Palmiotti
eXp Commercial, Referral Divison - Kalispell, MT
Helping your Montana dreams take root

What a fantastic story. I haven't seen these in our stores, but haven't looked either. I usually run in and go straight for whatever I'm buying so I can get out of the store asap. (I don't enjoy shopping.)

Having been dealing with elderly parents-in-law who have physical challenges, something like this would be great. 

May 03, 2018 03:41 AM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

                                                                       

         Thank you, Lauren. 

May 05, 2018 06:04 PM
Lauren Williams, CPO

Kathy Streib Wow, thank you!

May 05, 2018 08:11 PM
Sheila Anderson
Referral Group Incorporated - East Brunswick, NJ
The Real Estate Whisperer Who Listens 732-715-1133

Good morning Lauren. I believe that a real need often provokes a real solution.

May 06, 2018 05:46 AM
Lauren Williams, CPO

Sheila Anderson So very very true!

May 06, 2018 11:15 AM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Good morning Lauren Williams, CPO ,

I'm so glad that Kathy Streib featured your post in her "Ah-Ha" moments for the day. What a wonderful; story and hope they get these out to the stores sooner than later..really an ingenuous idea!

May 06, 2018 10:09 AM
Lauren Williams, CPO

Dorie Dillard I was very glad as well. It is a super idea. I'm tempted to just always go into my local stores now, see if they have them, and suggest they look into them if they don't. And I can see them being awesome even in places like Disney.

May 06, 2018 11:18 AM
Nick Vandekar, 610-203-4543
Realty ONE Group Advocates 484-237-2055 - Downingtown, PA
Selling the Main Line & Chester County

Hope these types of carts spread rapidly throughout the nation, so that we can be an inclusive society and allow everyone to stay together even when shopping

May 07, 2018 12:21 PM
Lauren Williams, CPO
Casual Uncluttering LLC - Woodinville, WA
Professional Organizer: Puget Sound homes

Nick & Trudy Vandekar, 610-203-4543 YES!!!!

May 07, 2018 06:20 PM
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

What a wonderful invention, Lauren. I hope this will become more commonly available for those in need.

Jeff

May 07, 2018 07:04 PM
Lauren Williams, CPO

Jeff Dowler, CRS You and me both!

May 07, 2018 07:10 PM