Local mom's invention for parents

CORNELIUS, N.C. -- They say necessity is the mother of invention and now one Cornelius mom's idea is hitting store shelves.

The "Yenithing" is designed to make parent's lives easier during bath time.

With two kids, Julie Yenichek said she tries to be efficient while creating the least amount of mess possible.

“Time is of the essence," she said. "During bath time, whether it was before I was going to work or when I got home, I would find myself just drenched. But there wasn't a product on the market. I had several prototypes made over the course of a couple of years, and tested them on my family and friends."

After the birth of her second child, Katy, seven months ago, Yenichek's Yenithing became a reality.

"My friend Jen was saying, ‘Gosh, I don't have babies but I could use the same thing with a dog.’"

The "Yenithing" is an adjustable terrycloth apron that protects your clothes. It's sold online and in a handful of local boutiques.

Yenichek chose a Catawba County company to make her product.

"I got some pushback from different blogs and stuff I was on, saying, ‘You're going to pay a premium.’ But to me it was worth every penny to have them made here in North Carolina," she said.

Doris Houston started Catawba Creations 37 years ago and said business has slowed down.

“We used to have about 40 employees and now we're down to about 12," she said. "We used to do Adidas, Nike, Reebok -- all of those types that now went overseas."

Products like Yenithing keep Houston's small but loyal staff sewing.

“I think it's very important, especially in these times, you know, to keep the people working," Houston said. “Our girls love doing it."

The terrycloth used on the Yenithing is made in Conover and finished in Lincolnton.

The Yenithing sells for about $30. It's $40 if you have it monogrammed.