Kids-N-Cats Unique Gifts

The selection at Kids-N-Cats Unique Gifts goes beyond strictly child- and feline-friendly items.

Owner Lani Steingraph also offers an array of jewelry, collectibles and vintage goods. But her store also stays true its name with collections for animal lovers and children—as well as children at heart.

[caption id="attachment_101639" align="alignright" width="460"] Lani Steingraph, Kids-N-Cats Unique Gifts owner, works with store manager Gracie, a rescue dog returned four times before being adopted by Steingraph. Gracie, who is overcoming fear issues, replaced Angel, the store’s longtime manager and shop cat.[/caption]

“Someone recently said we should charge admission because we’re like a museum,” Steingraph said. “It’s like going down memory lane, and that’s what we look for.”

Kids-N-Cats relocated about five years ago within the same Allandale Shopping Center anchored by H-E-B. The previous store was 3 1/2 times larger than her current spot, Steingraph said, but she fell in love with the neighborhood.

“I really wanted to stay in the same shopping center because we have been here for so long,” she said.

The store celebrated its 24th anniversary in August, remaining open long enough that multiple generations of shoppers now visit Kids-N-Cats, Steingraph said. Most items sold at the store are found during near-weekly road trips throughout Texas, with Steingraph accompanied for years by her mother and more recently her boyfriend.

The family operation has evolved as it became smaller to emphasize unique, affordable gifts that range from 50 cents to $200 in price. Steingraph particularly focuses on toys that were popular when older generations grew up.

“We want to keep getting fun, retro items that have come full circle—stuff people liked when they were little,” Steingraph said.