Naartijie, an innovative children’s fashion brand founded in Cape Town, South Africa, is plannning a grand opening at Redmond Town Center in the summer of 2008.

The name “Naartijie” (pronounced nar chee) means “a small, sweet citrus fruit found in Africa,” or in this case, “a distinctive, affordable, soft, functional, kid-friendly clothing brand.”

The location at Redmond Town Center will be the first in Washington state.

This exclusive collection in sizes 0 to 10 years can be found only in Naartijie’s 35 stores worldwide and features fashion, trend and Essentials styles plus a wide variety of accessories such as hats, head scarves, socks and shoes. All seasonal apparel and new monthly deliveries within a season can be coordinated, allowing customers to “mix and match” garments for endless combinations.

Naartijie specialty stores also offer a kid-friendly atmosphere. The brand was created in 1989 by internationally know designer Anne Eales.

It quickly attracted an international following, including members of Great Britain’s royal family and today receives correspondence from loyal customers throughout Africa, Europe, Asia and North America.

Naartijie South Africa and the worldwide rights to the brand were purchased in 2001 by Naartijie USA, headquartered in Salt Lake City.

Design and production facilities along with 15 retail outlets are maintained in South Africa and the brand’s founder Anne Eales continues to head the design group and oversees development and production in Cape Town.

The company opened three prototype stores in the San Francisco Bay area beginning in 2001. Broader expansion has now begun with the opening of 17 additional stores in the past four years — 11 in Southern California, one in Northern California, two in Arizona, one in Oregon and two in Utah.

More stores are scheduled to debut during 2008 in the West.

Visit the Naartijie Web site at www.naartijie.com.