Gabby Goose to closer doors after 26 years

BONNERS FERRY— After 26 years of serving families in Bonners Ferry, the Gabby Goose center has announced its closing.

“Twenty-six years is a long time for any business in Bonners Ferry,” said Margaret Huggins, owner of Gabby Goose.

“We are hoping to stay open until August,” said Katie Huggins, current director of Gabby Goose, “But that just depends on our numbers.”

Margaret moved last year to Nampa with her husband. The business transitioned over and Katie took it over in September as director and late preschool teacher. However, this year, Katie was offered a position with the school district.

As an absentee owner, Margaret felt she couldn’t gauge the quality of care and chose to close the daycare.

Katie and Margaret hope that someone will take over Gabby Goose so the daycare can continue to serve families.

“We would be so anxious to have anyone, we would gladly help them get started,” said Margaret.

Katie held an open house and offered a free class for people to come and learn what the processing for a daycare entailed and even had paperwork ready, but, so far, no one has shown a dedicated interest.

What started out with 12 kids at a small home childcare has grown into the only large center daycare in Bonners Ferry.

Margaret used to own a restaurant downtown. She closed the restaurant and opened a daycare so she could be home with her kids.

“When I started, there was only one other daycare running out-of-home,” said Margaret, “Now there’s a couple more.”

Sixteen years later, Margaret moved into a a triple-wide trailer home along Highway 95 near the south Bonners Ferry city limits.

After the move, Gabby Goose remained open for another 10 years.

“That was my whole passion, that childcare center,” said Margaret.

Gabby Goose is closing at full numbers.

Starting this year, Gabby Goose was servicing up to 40 kids a day with a total tally of 76 kids.

Gabby Goose also had 12 employees, some teenagers from the high school who came back as adults to work there.

“We’ve had a really good — great —staff. I can’t even say enough about them,” said Katie.

“I loved working with families. I loved working with generations of families,” said Margaret, “It’s a decent business and it’s a huge need in this community.”

For more information, contact Katie Huggins at 267-3355 or at gabbygoosechildcare@gmail.com