Stefanie Smidt readies a crib for a client whose grandchildren are coming for a visit. Baby's Away, which bills itself as the nation's largest baby supply rental service, rents cribs for $8 a day or $48 a week. Charges for deliveries range from $15 to $50.

Jim Davis / Arizona Daily Star

Other articles by Levi J. Long:

Celebration of basketry, Native foods returns to the reservation Rat Pack reprises 'Rat Pack' reprises Live Theatre finds the right holiday play Project targets anti-gay violence and homophobiaThe beat goes onPatty Weiss moving to Madison, Wis.And the reality-host winner is . . . KRQQ DJs' gig on 'Ellen' will air Friday Insightful look at Navajo culture

General
CORT
WAREHOUSE/DRIVER Health Care
Rio Salado College
PA's/Online Instructors Education
Assessment Technology, Inc
Social Studies Content Writer Construction
Komatsu Equipment Co
Mechanic General
CORT
Warehouse Supervisor

Crammed into a garage, 25 clean and shiny cribs, strollers and highchairs await new charges.

Stains from the strained peas and apple juice will come later.

"Being a mom, with two little ones of my own, I'm basically a self-employed cleaning lady," said Stefanie Smidt, while looking about her garage where baby equipment is stored. "Highchairs are a messy business."

As the owner of Baby's Away Baby Supply Rentals, Smidt operates a delivery and rental service for baby furniture for families visiting Tucson.

Tucson businesses like Smidt's are filling the needs of busy parents with delivery and new curbside services.

Given 24-hour notice, Smidt can deliver and set up cribs, playpens, toddler beds and highchairs in people's homes.

Smidt operates the business out of her Northeast Tucson home at 7705 E. Knollwood Terrace.

Local hotels and resorts, including the Loews Ventana Canyon Resort, also call for the rental services.

"Everyone is looking for convenience," she said, noting more customers in the Foothills, Northwest and East Side.

With more than 55 nationwide franchises, the Denver-based Baby's Away is billed as the largest baby and child supply rental service in the country.

Five new Baby's Away franchises have opened nationwide in the past year, said Jan Hard, an office manager at the company's corporate headquarters.

Since buying the business in 2004, Smidt said her company has seen 10 percent growth in customer requests.

"There are always going to be babies around. And people are always traveling," she said, noting that she sees more business in the future.

Rates for the rentals vary, with cribs renting for $8 a day or $48 a week and car seats and strollers for $5 a day or $30 a week. Charges for deliveries range from $15 to $50.

Across the country, baby businesses offering one-on-one service are on the rise.

"Delivery services and more personal services are starting to become more popular," said Hillary Gurley, editor of the Expectations Resource Guide for Pregnant Women.

Published by Tempe-based Expectations Guide Inc., the guide offers short articles on pregnancy care and a list of local baby service retailers. The guide publishes in 25 cities, including Tucson.

"Those smaller businesses that focus on their customers, with those (delivery) services, will continue to do well," she said.

Business owner Susan Luedtke already recognizes the need for more convenience.

As the owner of The Stork's Nest of the Old Pueblo, 6825 E. Camino Principal, a baby boutique on Tucson's East Side, Luedtke started a curbside delivery service this week.

There are times when parents are forced to choose between running an errand or skipping a trip to the store, Luedtke said. "Often, they'll put shopping on hold."

By heading to the store's Web site, or by calling the store, Luedtke can have items from the store wrapped and ready to go for customers within an hour.

Curbside service is giving busy parents more shopping flexibility, said Dawn Chace, a mother of two, who recently stopped by the Stork's Nest.

"There's nothing worse than running into a store with all of the hassles of a car seat, stroller and shopping cart when you just need to pick up one thing," she said.

Home deliveries of diapers and baby supplies also are gaining good business and more fans.

With more than 200 customers, Next Generation Cloth Diaper Services, at 3841 N. Oracle Road, recently expanded their delivery area to Phoenix.

This year, they doubled their Phoenix customer base, adding about 50 new customers, said co-owner Karen Hinderberger who operates the store with her sister Pamela Xeele.

Besides diapers, the store also delivers breast-feeding supplies, and natural baby-care products.

"We make it easier for customers who want that added, personal touch," Hinderberger said.

Customer Kerstin Meyers has been using the service since 2003, for both her children.

Baby wipes and powders were always on hand, Meyers said.

"We've never had to worry about running out of diapers," she said. "They also take away the poopy diapers."

Besides the delivery service, Meyers said over the years, she has formed a closer bond with Hinderberger and Xeele.

"There's something nice, knowing that they support you," she said. "That's something you don't get with stores."