Printer-friendly version
Resale Clothes & Toys for Children of All Ages
By Miriam Raftery
November
1, 2008 - In today’s cost-conscious times, parents are rediscovering
the jobs of resale shopping. By popular demand, after reporting on my
favorite women’s resale shop, I scoured East County to find a great place
for parents to save money on stylish kids’ clothes, play equipment and
more.
When my kids were little, I saved a fortune by scavenging in resale shops—often
finding great quality clothing in like-new condition. After all, tots
often outgrow clothes that have scarcely been worn. The stores I shopped
in have long since closed their doors, so when I discovered Conceptions Children’s
Resale in Santee, I couldn’t wait to share this find with our readers!
Torrie Miller, co-owner of the shop, has worked at Conceptions for the past
10 years, starting out under the store’s prior owners.
“We have clothes up to size 12 and tons of toys,” she said, adding
that the shop is one of the few children’s resale outlets to offer a
wide variety of outdoor play equipment such as playhouses, slides, sand and
water tables, wagons and picnic tables.
Conceptions also carries cribs and other infant furniture, gliders, cradles,
swings, strollers, high-chairs, joggers, strollers, diaper bags and other gear
as well as books, videos, and new DVDs. We found many brand-name
items at bargain-basement prices, such as a Petunia Pickle Bottom diaper bag
for $50 (retail $200).
Other major brands carried include Carters, Baby Gap, Gymboree, Osh-Kosh,
Old Navy, The Children’s Place, Maclaren, Combi, Step 2 and Little
Tykes.
Besides second-hand items, the store also carries some new products from liquidators
at deep discounts, such as Infantino “funny arm” high chairs and
teething toys. “Baby Einstein DVDs are a big hit for infants and
newborns to keep them entertained, sooth them and teach them things,” said
Miller. Popular options include classical music and nature topics—all
at half the retail price.
“We also have lots of things for Moms,” Miller noted. Items
for new mothers include maternity clothes, nursing pillows, and new breast
pumps.
We brought a trio of youngsters to model play clothes and dress-up outfits. Sofia
Baron of El Cajon, age 14 months, looked adorable in a Black Baby Gap two-piece
dress for just $7.99. She also modeled a Gymboree fur-trimmed jacket
($7.99), Levis pants ($4.99) , Osh Kosh shirt ($3.99) and Baby Gap shoes for
$4.99.
Skylar O’Brian of San Diego wore a matching Gymboree jacket ($7.99)
and Children’s Place skirt ($4.99), perfect for a cool fall afternoon. She
also donned a stunning beaded David’s Bridal Dress suitable for a flower
girl, but priced at an affordable $25.00.
El Cajon resident Brian Yeargan, age six, looked sporty and stylish in a Target
shirt for just ($2.99) along with Target pants ($2.49).
“We buy stuff and resell it,” said customer Tracy Brumm of Lakeside,
who appreciates the store’s discounts for foster parents. The store
also offers discounts for firefighters, police and military families.
The store’s motto sums up the sentiments of its customers who have embraced
resale over retail: If you can’t tell the difference, why pay the
difference?
Conceptions Children’s Resale
10438 Misison Gorge Rd.
Santee, CA 92071
(619)596-BABY
www.conceptionsresale.com
Recent comments