Your guide to activities and fun things to do with your preschoolers, toddlers and kids in houston, TX

9 *GREAT DEAL* Kids Resale Shops in Houston

August 18, 2009

When summer arrived, my kids pulled out their shorts and sundresses and I realized that everything they owned was at least one size too small. We checked out Carter's, which has great clothes but ends up being rather pricey when you are buying an entire season's worth of clothes. We then tried Old Navy, which offers low prices on many things, but we've been frustrated lately with the quality, which seems to barely last the season. On the way home from the mall area, I decided to pull into the local Palais Royale. But before I stepped inside, I noticed a resale shop next to it -- Little Bo-Tique. It carries clothes, beds, toys, shoes and more for infants through about sizes 8-10. When I walked out about 45 minutes later, I had two bags full of clothes to cover the entire summer for both kids, and I hadn't even spent $100. They were nice clothes, too -- good brands such as Gymboree and even some boutique clothing. All were in excellent condition. Each cost between $3 and maximum $10 per piece. I got shorts, skirts, dresses, tops, and even swim suits.

Now that the season is about to change again, and for many kids school is about to start, parents throughout Houston are budgeting and planning for that big expense that keeps cropping up: new, bigger size kids clothes.

Resale shops are great options for kids clothes. You can find good brands for great prices, and since it is for kids, who can be a bit rough on clothes during the summer, I feel great about the low price. And keep in mind that sometimes you can break even between selling your kids' old clothes and buying new (to you).

They are rarely limit themselves to just clothes. Most resale cribs, toddler beds, toys, tricycles, and more. I tend to find things in good condition for easily half the cost of new. If you think about it, kids use baby and toddler items for such a brief time that they can easily hold up for several kids.

When shopping, don't be afraid to bargain. Ask the owner if you can make a deal if you are buying a number of items.

Houston offers many resale shops in every area. Here are nine to get you started:

Clothes For Kids Resale
14520 Memorial Dr
Houston, TX 77079
(281) 558-1793
clothesforkidsresale.com

Reputed to be the oldest resale shop in Houston, satisfied customers rave about the quality and selection, and often use the word love (repeatedly) in reviews. Consignors also offer good reviews.

Second Childhood
1922 Fountain View Dr
Houston, TX 77057-3206
(713) 789-6456‎

Reviews were a bit mixed for this shop, but most seemed to find that the owner was helpful and the selection -- from maternity to infant and on through kids resale and new -- very good.

Once Upon A Child

7508 FM 1960 West
Houston, TX 77070
(281) 955-2445‎

Sellers did not, in general, express satisfaction with the prices offered for consignment items, but most agreed it was easier than a garage sell. Buyers seemed satisfied with the prices, but reminded shoppers to check prices and compare to new to make sure you got the best deal.

Andree's Corner (no Web site)
 2508 Sunset Blvd
Houston, TX 77005-1434
(713) 522-7355‎

Reviews were very mixed for this store. The location, however, is the sort where I try to shop resale: near an affluent family-friendly area. If it's close to you, try dropping in and forming your own opinion.

Once Upon A Child
15951 FM 529 Rd # 140
Houston, TX 77095-2699
(281) 858-6830‎

Near Copperwood Shopping Center on Spencer, this shop got rave reviews. Customers were pleased with a wide selection of baby accessories -- from furniture to toys and clothes -- with very reasonable prices.

Children's Collections (no Web site)

5219 Bellaire Blvd,
Bellaire, TX 77401
(713) 664-5219‎

Located in Bellaire, this shop got across the board great reviews. Customers were pleased to find great deals on maternity clothes as well as kids' items. One green mom was excited by the reusing factor, and the good styles she found for herself and her kids there.

More Than You Can Imagine

2817 Westheimer Rd
Houston, TX 77098-1206
(713) 668-8811‎

The great reviews of this shop mention fantastic deals, great clothing and accessories and reveal that this is a one stop shop for mom and kids to find anything they want.

Crayons Children Resale

15969 Westheimer Rd
Houston, TX 77082-1234
(281) 556-9086‎

New owners have apparently made this the cleanest and best resale shop for newborns through teens in the Houston area, according to customers who love love love this place. It offers great items for amazing bargains, the reviews state. Customers drive to this shop from all over Houston.

Second Life Kids Store (no Web site)
2402 W Little York Rd
Houston, TX 77091-1616
(713) 636-9676‎

Only one reviewer, but she was quite pleased with the shop and motivated to rate it as a great place. her experience sounds like mine with my local resale place.

"New to me" -- outfitting your child on a budget

August 17, 2009

A few years ago some neighbors and I got together to do a clothing swap. It was the best idea we ever had! We all walked away with enough clothes for our kids for close to a year...without spending a penny. Quite a few of us had "barely worn" clothes that we were glad to see go to a good, new home, too. A few had older children, and the rest of us were always grateful for hand-me-downs. That idea has gained in popularity -- even reaching the morning news shows as their hot frugal tip for outfitting your child for back-to-school. It's pretty easy to set up the swap, and even easier to find friends who would like to participate.

First, select a group of friends and neighbors, moms from school, family or whoever you'd like to invite. Although it might seem great to invite as many people as possible, that can get big and overwhelming. For your frist swap, try to keep it small, such as six to eight people. Make sure that each person will be able to find something they need. For example, ensure that older kids don't get left out -- invite parents with similarly aged children as well as a mix of ages.

Second, choose a good space with plenty of room to lay out clothes where moms have room to check sizes and condition. For our clothing swap, we used a mom's house with an open floor plan for the living room and kitchen. We grouped clothes by size, and draped them on sofas and chairs and tables for easy viewing.

Third, select clothes that your child has outgrown or doesn't like (or wear often) and that are in good condition. Make sure to bring clothes for the coming season, not just the season that is coming to an end (as tempting as it is to purge current wardrobes, make sure to trade clothes that work for the coming school year seasons). Since fall and rain are hopefully on the horizon -- even for seemingly endless summer Houston -- bring outgrown jackets, too. You might include gently used shoes that aren't broken in too much.

Fourth, get together and swap clothes!

Mix it up and make it fun for you, too. Make it a playdate, let the kids help choose, or make it a moms morning out.

You can also add in a charity component and consider adding a small charge for the donated clothes, such as 50 cents for shirts and shorts, one dollar for dresses and slacks, and so forth. Take the money earned and donate it to a charity the group picks. An alternative idea is to ask people to bring a couple of canned goods as a "cover charge" and donate those to a food pantry.

Or think about back to school time and ask attendees to bring school supplies to donate to your local school.

August in Retrospect

by Rachel Mosteller

August 29, 2008

August is almost done! Horray for that...it means that cooler weather, at most, is a month away. While people all around the Houston area are adjusting to school schedules and fall activities, I'd like to take a moment and look back at some of the posts at Savvy Source, both locally and nationally. Here's to a happy (and hopefully, cool) September and a great fall! Five ways to cool off, even  Read more...