About Us
Our Story
CHILDREN'S WORLD UNIFORM SUPPLY HAS BEEN SERVING SW FLORIDA SINCE 1964!
Children’s World has been an iconic retail store in Sarasota, Florida, since its opening in 1964. Initially, the store specialized in selling and renting cribs and cradles before expanding to include children’s dress clothes and shoes. Providing old-fashioned, personalized customer service remains a hallmark of the store to this day. Over the years, the product offerings grew to include toys, Boy Scout supplies, and school uniforms, along with services like embroidery, t-shirt printing, and promotional products.
Originally located at the corner of Bahia Vista and U.S. 41, Children’s World relocated in 2008 to its current address at 4525 Bee Ridge Road. This new location is larger and more convenient, especially with I-75 just 1.75 miles away. The expansion allowed for a significantly larger toy department, and a U.S. Post Office Contract Unit was also opened. Additionally, gifts were introduced to provide options for adults. School uniforms have become the largest part of Children’s World’s business and continue to grow. A separate division called Business World Promo Supply was established to cater to businesses with promotional products and uniforms, and it operates within Children’s World.
Although it has been years since Children’s World sold cribs, cradles, shoes, or Boy Scout supplies, the store continues to offer school uniforms, toys, gifts, embroidery, t-shirt printing, promotional products, and U.S. Postal services.
At Children’s World, we are committed to “supporting the community that supports us.” To that end, we collaborate with several local non-profits to assist them in achieving their missions. Our largest annual project is Toys for Tots, which you can learn more about here. Additionally, we strive to be environmentally conscious by recycling and conserving energy. Over the years, Children’s World has received numerous awards for customer service, community involvement, conservation, and more.
We invite you to visit us and experience our dedicated, old-fashioned customer service as we assist you with any of our offerings.
Questions and Answers
HERE ARE SOME OF THE FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Can someone at Children's World help me select the right items?
At Children’s World, we believe in providing old fashioned, personal customer service to help you select the right uniforms, get the best sizing, and even select the best toy or gift. Come in and let us help you.
When was Children's World started?
Children’s World was celebrating 50 years serving our customers in 2014. We opened our store in 1964.
When did Children's World start selling school uniforms?
1983, when one of the local school asked the store to take over their uniform program. Growing every year since then, Children’s World is now the largest uniform supplier in the area.
When did Children's World start working with The Scouts?
1982, when the former Sunnyland Council Office in Sarasota was consolidated into the Southwest Florida Council in Fort Myers. Children’s World started selling Boy Scout supplies and handling all of the leader’s advancement needs at that time, so local scouters didn’t have to drive to Fort Myers.
What makes Children's World the better choice for your embroidery project?
Here is just one reason. There are three different types of embroidery thread: rayon, polyester and metallic. Rayon is the industry standard, as it shines beautifully, but, it also has a downside. Have you ever seen a shirt with an embroidered logo that appears to have the color washed out of it? That would be a rayon logo that has been worn a lot, laundered heavily, or bleached. Rayon does not hold up to any of these conditions. The second type of thread is polyester, which is almost as shiny but has none of the wear problems that rayon does. This is the type of thread we use. Embroiderers don’t usually like to work with it, because it is harder to sew with, but for us, the results are worth the extra effort. The last type of thread is metallic, which has actual metal fiber woven into it and is really just for special effects or showy designs.
What should you know when you consider a vendor to meet your uniform needs?
Here are some questions to ask:
HOW LONG HAVE THEY BEEN AROUND?
Children’s World has been around for almost 50 years.
WILL YOU HAVE YOUR UNIFORMS FOR START OF SCHOOL?
Children’s World has items in stock all year round.
HOW LONG WILL YOU HAVE TO WAIT FOR REORDERS?
We are fully stock and ready to meet your needs today.
IS THE QUALITY CONSISTENT?
Children’s World only buys from manufacturers of the highest quality.
NEVER WORRY WITH CHILDREN’S WORLD, WE MADE IT EASY!
What color shirt is best to wear out in the sun?
Modern polyester performance shirts are the best at blocking UV.
Why women's dress shirts button on the opposite side of men's?
In Medieval times, women didn’t usually dress themselves. They usually had handmaids help them. Therefore, the dressmakers designed garments so the buttons were in the proper position for the handmaids dressing the women, not the women themselves.
Do business uniforms make a difference?
A survey of consumers by Modern Uniforms sound that they trusted employees more who were in uniform, than those who were not. They also found that 64% expected to receive better service because of the uniform.
You can shop for business uniforms through our Business World arm. click here
Do Promotional Products generate more sales?
Research done by Baylor University indicated that salespeople who gave promotional products to their customers received 22% more referrals than those who didn’t use a promotional product.
You can shop for promotional products through our Business World arm. click here
Do Promotional Products increase customer satisfaction?
A survey by Wayne State University found that customers who received a promotional product with a “Thank You” letter were 43% more satisfied with the company than those who received the letter alone.
You can shop for promotional products through our Business World arm. click here
What are taped seams?
Taped seams are a high-quality feature that puts a small fabric “tape” at the seams, where the sewing is done. This tape leaves the inside of the fabric with a smooth finish, instead of just sewing the two pieces of fabric together, and leaving two rough edges of fabric where the seam has been sewn together on the inside, against the person wearing the item.
Are all plastic bottles bad?
No. Look for bottles that do not contain PBA. In addition, there are many plastic bottles now that are biodegradable and/or made out of recycled materials.
What is Teflon SR?
Teflon SR is Dupont’s Teflon Stain Release, which is a fabric process that helps prevents stains from setting in a fabric.
What the term ``ounces`` of fabric refer to?
Ounces of fabric refers to the weight of one yard of fabric, not the weight of a particular item.
What crop uses the most amount of pesticides?
Cotton. Up to 25% more pesticides are used in growing cotton than any other crop.
Are there career opportunities at Children's World?
Check out our CAREERS AT CHILDREN’S WORLD page for more information.
Jacquline was amazing at helping us find what we needed for our two kids. She assisted with explaining the uniform policy and sizes.
Jessica was extremely helpful and pleasant. She helped me get exactly what I needed and even placed a special order for something that wasn’t in stock. Plenty of options for my daughter’s school uniform. Thank you!
Jessica was very helpful. Children’s World has a great selection not only of clothing for school, but toys and books for children that are stimulating and engaging.
Jessica was awesome and so helpful. Her customer service the best and she offered great advice on the sizing.
Great place. Love playing with all the demos. Jacqueline was super helpful when I was picking out a birthday present for a 5 year old.
Children's World has received many awards for their business operations
Congratulations to ASTRA member Tim Holliday, MASI, CMR, and Cynthia Holliday, CMR, of Children’s World. Tim is the first candidate to receive the Certified Master Retailer (CMR) designation and now Cynthia has also received this designation.
Certified Master Retailer status represents achievement of the highest standard of professional development for
independent toy retailers. To complete the program, Tim completed 40 hours of coursework covering topics
including Business & Finance, Merchandising, Marketing and Technology and passed a comprehensive exam.
Congratulations, Tim and Cynthia!
Children’s World Uniform Supply is Leading the Way Through Play (ASTRA) by providing quality products that help children have fun, achieve success and lead happy, healthy lives.
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SHOP LOCALLY
…support your local independent merchants like Children’s World! Independent We Stand and the 3/50 Project.Local Businesses Support Local Communities! You can help, by thinking about where you spend your money. The next time you go shopping, will you be buying from a big-box store or a mega internet company? Or will you support the locally owned and operated business that helps pay for schools, roads and more in your community?
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