Mom Turns Frustration Into Sustainable Kids' Shop

When Madeline Johnson became a mom four years ago, she hit a wall trying to find quality, affordable pre-loved children's clothing in the Brainerd lakes area. The options just weren't there.

Instead of accepting the gap, she decided to fill it herself. Three years of planning later, Johnson opened Little Threads in January 2025, a carefully curated boutique featuring secondhand children's clothing, gear, and maternity items in downtown Brainerd.

The shop at 706 Laurel Street was designed with real families in mind. Wide aisles accommodate strollers, a play corner keeps kids entertained, and the downtown location means parents can walk in without the hassle of driving to distant stores.

Johnson stocks everything from newborn onesies through youth sizes, along with a small selection of new and locally made products. But sustainability drives every decision she makes about what enters the store.

Nothing goes to waste at Little Threads. Items are either resold, reused, recycled, or responsibly donated, keeping quality goods in circulation instead of crowding landfills.

As a first-time business owner, Johnson needed help turning her vision into reality. She connected with the North Central Small Business Development Center at Central Lakes College, which offers free consulting to entrepreneurs.

Business consultant John Gunstad walked her through a startup checklist covering legal requirements, marketing strategies, and operational foundations. His own experience as a business owner gave Johnson practical insights she could apply immediately.

Balancing two businesses in one household brought its own challenges. Johnson's husband Mark runs Lakes Area Mobile Mechanic, making time management a constant juggling act. Johnson learned quickly that accepting help from family and friends wasn't optional, it was essential.

The Ripple Effect

Little Threads is expanding beyond retail into community support. Johnson is launching the Foster Closet, a free clothing resource where foster children can shop at no cost.

As a foster parent herself, Johnson understands the financial strain foster families face. She's partnering with a local nonprofit and the Crow Wing County Foster Care community to make sure foster children have access to quality clothing without adding burden to their caregivers.

The initiative extends the shop's sustainability mission in a new direction, keeping the focus on reducing waste while directly supporting vulnerable families in the region.

The North Central SBDC serves an 11-county area, providing free confidential consulting, training, and resources to entrepreneurs at every stage of business development. For new owners like Johnson, that support can mean the difference between an idea on paper and keys to a storefront.

Johnson's journey from frustrated parent to business owner shows how personal challenges can spark solutions that benefit entire communities.