Parents travel lightly to Rhode Island with Away Wee Go’s rentals

Instead of chasing soccer balls, Anne LaBossiere now spends her time hauling cribs, toys and linens for vacationers in Rhode Island.
Her business, Away Wee Go, caters to the smallest RI tourists, and their parents.
Four years ago, LaBossiere was looking around for a business that would allow her more time with her infant daughter, Charlotte.
A trip to Florida to visit her grandparents provided the inspiration for Away Wee Go. Instead of lugging a portable crib, special sheets, baby toys, etc., LaBossiere’s grandmother called a local rental company that specialized in infant/child equipment.
“When I got back to RI, a light bulb went off,” she recalled. “In a week, I had built my own website, bought two cribs I knew would be easy to assemble and I built up inventory that now fills a large storage space.”
She also came up with a catchy slogan, “Provide the best for your littlest guest.”
The cribs snap together, and LaBossiere cleans every item and personally delivers and assembles all the equipment. “Safety is the #1 priority,” she said. “My equipment is in better shape than what you would get borrowing from a neighbor.”
She has a storage space that is kept clean and all the equipment is properly stored to prevent damage. She rents car seats, high chairs, everything someone needs to accommodate a baby or young child. She ensures that safety is her priority.
“It’s all updated equipment,” LaBossiere emphasized. “I keep up on all the recalls.”
Any item that is recalled is immediately removed from her inventory.
“I follow the industry and keep up on all the recall lists,” she explained. “My primary goal is every item you get will be carefully inspected and not a on a recall list. It’s as clean as it can be. I’m a mother, and I would not rent you something my child would not use.”
Hauling baby equipment was not in the Long Island native’s long term plans when she came to Rhode Island to attend the University of Rhode Island on a soccer scholarship, and majored in education. After she met her husband, LaBossiere decided not to pursue teaching as a career and took accounting classes at CCRI. She worked at Kenyon’s Grist Mill and learned how to run a business.
“I definitely found a niche here,” LaBossiere said of Away Wee Go. “I got very busy quickly and added on the linen business.”
In addition to baby equipment, LaBossiere provides linens and towels to tourists and Rhode Islanders hosting family or guests.
“You can bring it all with you (linens and towels) or leave the bag of dirty laundry on the front steps for me to pick up and take care of,” she explained.
This service is especially valuable to tourists who fly into Rhode Island. “All you have to do is walk out your door with your luggage. It makes trips to RI better, more enviable and enjoyable.”
Kara Churas of Lila Delman Real Estate said Away Wee Go’s service is an asset to their rental business.
“Our clients have raved about how clean everything is, how friendly Anne is and how helpful it is to have the items dropped off and picked up,” Churas explained. “The toys too, people (traveling) don’t always want to have to pack it.”
Dana Aldrich spoke from first hand experience. “Renting the cribs and tents was so easy. It was great not to worry about where my son and daughter were going to sleep. The tents are a lifesaver at home and I was so relieved that I didn't have to pack them up when we went on vacation!”
While LaBossiere operates solo most of the year, her family helps out in the summer. “Both my stepdaughters help pack up the van and we offer a bed making service for our clients. You already have a lot of stuff to do when you get to your destination such as grocery shopping. Sometimes after a long drive or flight, there is nothing better than for us to show up with a big bucket of toys, set up the beds and set up the crib. You can sit and relax for the start of your vacation, or get going on something else you have to do.”
The parents and the kids get a good start to their visit. “The toy buckets are like Christmas. You couldn't buy one new toy for the price of what I rent an entire toy bucket,” she laughed.
Grandparents are often worried about accommodating a little one in their homes. LaBossiere will personally visit the house and baby-proof several rooms so the family is more relaxed during their time together.
“To baby proof your house you have to get on your hands and knees,” LaBossiere explained. “I supply all the safety needs and it’s all removable. There are lots of little things such as door knob holders, safety gates, to think of. I will help you at least designate a room or two that the baby can go to, provide the equipment for a few dollars that you could easily spend $50 to $100 to purchase.”
Betsey Waterman of Westerly raved about Away Wee Go’s service. “Since my son and daughter-in-law and their two children under age 3 1/2 were flying in, they were unable to bring any baby gear or toys with them. Everything (Away Wee Go) supplied from crib to toys was in perfect condition. We used every bit of it and it made the vacation so much easier and more fun for everyone,” she noted.

Away Wee Go can be reached at (401) 783-0489, or (866) 460-4993 toll free. LaBossiere’s website is AwayWeeGotoRI.com. E-mail is AwayWeeGo@cox.net