Shopping

Overview | Discount stores | Consignment/resale | Thrift shops | Retail chains | Exchange

Consignment/resale

Clementine
Run by a neighborhood mother-daughter team, this sweet little consignment shop in the West Village is stocked with gorgeous finds from Oilily, Bonpoint and Petit Bateau (sizes newborn through 4T). Stop by prebaby to load up on designer maternity wear from Isabella Oliver. 39½ Washington Sq South at MacDougal St clementineconsignment.com)
FIND Jacadi linen dress, $15 (retails for $60)

Flying Squirrel
Trendsetting Williamsburgers count on Flying Squirrel to outfit their tykes with new and resale items. My discoveries include a parachute jumpsuit with a gold zipper for a one-year-old and a size 4 red velvet Christian Lacroix blazer. Local moms Judith Velosky-Martell and Kate Schmitz share their space with the Academy Records Annex, so after you browse the clothes, gear, books and toys (and your kids check out the playroom), head next door to listen to some tunes. 96 North 6th St between Berry St and Wythe Ave, Williamsburg, Brooklyn (718-218-7775, flyingsquirrelbaby.com)
FIND Oilily gray striped pants with hummingbird embroidery detail, $20 (retails for $80)

Jane’s Exchange
Jane’s has been a mainstay for East Village moms since 1994. Bring in your gently used clothes, books, toys, furniture and gear for store credit, then look through the well-organized bargain clothing racks. On a recent trip, I spotted a Lili Gaufrette skirt, bodysuits from Tea and an awesome pair of vintage purple plaid pants. Jane’s also carries new baby clothing from Zutano and a mishmash of whatever local kids have cast off: ice skates, tap shoes, Disney VHS tapes. The cheerful sales staff make shopping here a pleasure, even pointing out choice pieces in your child’s sizes. 191 E 3rd St between Aves A and B (212-677-0380, janesexchangenyc.com)
FIND Striped Talbot Kids blouse, $7 (retails for $25); & Now dark denim miniskirt with silver stitching, $8 (retails for $20)

Shop Lucky Finds
Upper East Side moms Candice Lombardi and Nicole Schumann-Rapaport hosted their first kids’ resale shopping event in February. It was so successful that they’re planning another one for June 6. All items are carefully screened by the duo and then priced to sell. Outside vendors also set up booths to sell their new wares—from baby leg warmers to stroller hooks invented by an NYC mom. Lombardi and Schumann-Rapaport take a commission from all sales to cover the cost of the space and event staff, but admission for shopping is always free and any leftover items are donated to Room to Grow. Go to shopluckyfinds.com for details.
FIND Bugaboo stroller, $250 (retails for $800); True Religion jeans for boys, $15 (retail for $100)

Still Hip
Local parent Gabrielle Napolitano has reserved half her cheery store for daily kids’ music and art classes and the other half for selling resale items. The formula works: The day I was there, kids flooded out of the Música Para Mí class, leading parents by the hand to the clothes, shoes and toy-filled shelves. Four times a year, Napolitano hosts a bag sale where parents can fill up a $5, $18 or $25 sack with the past season’s bargains. 283 Grand Ave between Lafayette Ave and Clifton Pl, Clinton Hill, Brooklyn (718-398-0008, stillhipbrooklyn.com
FIND Appaman aqua jacket with red racing stripes, $35 (retails for $57)

Swap Shop at Kidz Cut Zone
Gina Digiovanni and Owana Gelittia started Swap Shop inside the children’s salon only a few months ago, but the demand for their resale items already has them looking for a bigger place. The owners carefully cull the bags of drop-offs to choose the best pieces, and then display everything by size and color. Because their current digs are small, a binder contains photos of the strollers, cribs and other gear for sale. Digiovanni and Gelittia even make house calls—they’ll sort your kids’ up-for-grabs clothes and haul away what they want, leaving you with cash or store credit. Anything that doesn’t sell goes to charity. 447 Sixth Ave at 9th St, Park Slope, Brooklyn (718-369-4700, kidzcutzone.com)
FIND Ralph Lauren oxford shirt, $8 (retails for $35); Mr. Tiny linen striped overalls, $8 (retail for $45)

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