The tavern and neighborhood dining room were just the first step. Next came ice cream, and, as of this past Saturday, impossibly adorable and perfectly sweet children’s clothes and fine gifts. Flora and Henri is the newest business to call Capitol Hill’s lofty, tall-ceilinged, historic Oddfellows Building home.

I stopped by the shop last week, a day or two before the official grand opening and, despite the cranes, trucks, hardhats, and other giant and disruptive figures of reconstruction, glimpsed the affect that owner Jane Hedreen’s petite universe will have on the 100-year old building. Two years ago, it might have been hard to imagine chic skinny jeans in size 4T and French-milled soap on that block. And again, amid the noise and remodeling mayhem, it’ll be a bit abstract for another month or so, but thoughtful retail and high-minded business (not to mention salted caramel ice cream) are exactly what such a landmark space deserves.

The way the collections of the in-house label at Flora and Henri are merchandised — just one of each exquisite, small-sized pieces hang on minimal racks; more sizes are fetched from cabinets and cupboards that disappear into the back wall — makes them feel even more special and singular, as though they already belong to some legacy or storybook tale. These are clothes that, in 50 years, will be taken out of trunks and admired by folks can’t believe they were once that little. Complimenting the kids’ stuff are fine and imaginative bath, beauty, and home items.

And while we’re on the subject of everlasting style and grace, stay tuned. At the end of this month or the beginning of the next, I should have a full report on Nube Green, the soon-to-be American- and sustainable-centric emporium of local avant art collector Ruth True. Nube Green will take the Oddfellow’s corner spot, next door to Flora and Henri. Given True’s eye, I expect it to be nothing short of insanely gorgeous. A, well, true match for the building and its occupants.

In the meantime, browse the new Flora and Henri via this slideshow, then get yourself outside the lanky windows and substantial, history-bearing door and walk inside.