Our Story

A Tradition of Dressing Childhood Beautifully

For more than 30 years, Banbury Cross has been part of life’s sweetest moments, dressing generations of children in beautiful, timeless pieces made for childhood.

The story began with founder Peggy Roth and a lifelong love of sewing and children’s clothing. What started with pieces lovingly made for her own seven children grew from home shows into the first Banbury Cross storefront in Natchez, Mississippi, in 1992. Eventually, Banbury Cross found its home in Old Metairie, where it became a trusted destination for families throughout New Orleans and beyond.

Through every season, the heart of Banbury Cross has remained the same: thoughtfully selected clothing, exceptional service, and a belief that children should be dressed beautifully while still looking like children.

From coming-home gowns and first birthdays to baptisms, family photographs, weddings, school dances, and everything in between, Banbury Cross has had the privilege of dressing children for countless moments that become treasured family memories.

A New Chapter

For owner Meredith Garrett, Banbury Cross was part of her family’s story long before it became her own.

Raised in Mandeville as one of three girls, Meredith’s love of clothing began early with a mother who loved dressing her daughters. She went on to attend LSU and spent years working in retail before building a 15-year career in residential lending, where helping families remained at the heart of what she did.

But the dream of one day returning to retail and owning a store never quite left her.

Banbury Cross first entered Meredith’s life after the birth of her oldest daughter, when she received a beautifully wrapped Banbury Cross gift containing a timeless day gown. She loved it so much that she had to find the store it came from.

One visit was all it took.

Over the years, Banbury became Meredith’s go-to place for her three daughters. It was where she could find the perfect gift, a special-occasion dress, shoes to complete an outfit, or simply something sweet for an ordinary day.

As a regular customer, she eventually got to know founder Peggy Roth. What began as a lighthearted conversation between the two grew into an unexpected opportunity for Meredith to fulfill a longtime dream while carrying forward a business and family legacy she already loved.

Today, Meredith and her husband, Jonathan, are raising their three daughters in the same Old Metairie neighborhood Banbury Cross calls home, making this next chapter especially meaningful.

Timeless Then. Timeless Now.

As Banbury Cross grows, Meredith’s goal is not to change what generations of families have loved about the store, but to build upon it.

Every piece is thoughtfully chosen with quality, timeless style, and childhood in mind, balancing the classic look Banbury Cross has always been known for with fresh pieces for the way families dress today.

Just as importantly, the personal experience remains at the heart of Banbury Cross. Whether you walk through our doors knowing exactly what you need or have no idea where to begin, we want shopping with us to feel welcoming, easy, and genuinely helpful.

We are honored to be there for the milestones and the everyday moments. The newborn day gown. The baptism. The birthday party. The family picture. The first school dance. The new shoes they absolutely had to have. And all those ordinary Tuesdays that become part of childhood, too.