Who doesn’t love a bargain when it comes to dressing your kids, as well as yourself? From being good for the environment by finding new uses for items that no longer work for you, to helping others in your community make money selling their gently used clothes- the Champaign-Urbana area has many options to choose from when shopping for consignment and resale clothing. 
We’ve asked Reagan Merkle-Litteken, Mompreneur and the owner of our guide sponsor All Things Kids to fill us in on why to shop consignment in C-U:
Why shop consignment?
Shopping consignment is a HUGE money saver!! You can find new and like-new items for as low as half or a quarter of new price and cheaper depending on condition. Consignment offers a variety of choices in all sizes for each of your children. Shopping consignment and saving tons of money can help ease the financial stress of the back to school to-do-list.
What is your biggest seller?
We sell a variety of items from: babies, kids, juniors & maternity clothing, shoes, toys, books, games, equipment, furniture and much more. Baby equipment such as pack-n-plays, bouncers, swings, exersaucers, highchairs, and strollers are always in very high demand….we can hardly keep these items on the sales floor. We always have requests for the availability of these items. All of these items are inspected for cleanliness and researched for recalls prior to being offered for sale.
What are your tips for someone new to resale and consignment?
Before you choose a consignment or resale shop, read their websites/guidelines, give them a call or stop by and ask questions. This is so you know what the local shops will accept for sale, and what they won’t. We always recommend sitting in a brightly lit area while looking carefully through your clothing items. This will give you a better chance of seeing stains, small holes, or if the item is too faded. Items that contain these defects will unfortunately not be accepted. Choose your best items so that you have a better chance of having more items accepted. Please do not be offended if the consignment shop is not able to keep all your items. Even those of us that work in the consignment shops miss items at home that can’t be accepted at the store.
What got you started in the consignment business?
I have always loved to shop consignment and garage sales for my kids. But, I wanted a way that I could sell and buy all seasons all year instead of having to wait for the next seasons appointment….and to stop tripping over the ever-growing basket of clothing items that my kids had out grown. I would also find myself stocking up on the upcoming seasons so that I wouldn’t be scrambling for clothes at the last minute, which would always cost me a fortune; it’s no fun paying “full” price. So I thought if I had a consignment shop that consigned all seasons all year it would not only help me but many other families as well! Surely I was not the only mom cleaning out closets and thinking about the next size and season, and did I forget to mention, on a really tight budget. Wouldn’t it be nice if moms had a place to consign their items to make 50 percent of the selling price?…and then be able to use their store credit to purchase the next size up or the next seasons items for their kids?…or maybe the unthinkable, that maybe for once moms would be able to take cash out for something else “they” would want or need. I was convinced, this is what I wanted to do. Helping people save money on their purchases and even helping others make money on their items brings me great joy! We love that we are able to help so many families in our community. Even items that we cannot sell due to imperfections, we are able to donate to some great organizations. We donate several bags of clothing each week. These organizations are able to further help other families that cannot afford to buy clothing for their kids. I love that these items are “recycled or re-purposed” instead of being thrown into the trash and added to our landfills.
What keeps you going as a busy Mompreneur?
My amazing staff and family, and especially my husband of 11+ years. I could not have made it through the last five years physically and mentally without them. I am so very thankful that they have stuck with me on this crazy and exciting roller-coaster of life. I have been extremely blessed to have such wonderful consignors and customers over the years. Champaign-Urbana and the surrounding communities have been very supportive of both me and my business. This is an amazing place to live! Loving my job, and being able to give back to families and the community…..what could be better?
Last piece of advice for our readers?
Stop in and check us out and find us on Facebook at All Things Kids Inc. !!!!!
Now on to our guide! If we’ve missed your favorite shop- let us know in the comments. If your consignment/ resale business is interested in an expanded, featured listing, or if your business is not listed, please contact us.
All Things Kids
Our 2013 Consignment Guide Sponsor
ATK is a babies, kids & maternity consignment shop. We consign and sell ALL SEASONS ALL YEAR. We have 7,000 square feet packed with inventory that changes daily.
General Hours:
Monday thru Saturday 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Tuesday & Thursday 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Customer Testimonials: “I stop by weekly to check out the always changing inventory! I always find great deals for my grand kids!!”
Merchandise for Sale: Clothes preemie thru size 12 boys, girls 16. Books, toys, games, equipment, furniture.
Location: 2710 N Mattis Ave., Champaign. (217)359-530.
For More Information: Visit All Things Kids’ Website.
Carle Auxiliary Resale Boutique
The Resale Boutique carries a wide variety of new and gently used merchandise, from clothing, accessories, and housewares, to books, games, and puzzles. The Boutique is staffed mostly by Carle Auxiliary volunteers, and the proceeds support the Carle Guest house operations, and scholarships for students pursuing health care careers.
General Hours
Sunday: 11am-4pm Tuesday and Thursday: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Saturday: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. *Donations are accepted during store hours; Closed on holidays
Customer Testimonials: From a Carle Hospital Employee: “I walk down to the Boutique on my lunch hour, at least three or four times a month. I find great bargains for my house, my grandchildren, my husband, and of course, myself! The staff is friendly and helpful.”
Merchandise for Sale: Clothing for baby through adult; housewares, accessories, books, games, and puzzles
Location: We are on the southeast corner of Lincoln and University, 810 W. University, Urbana. (217)325-5001
For More Information: Visit the Carle Resale Auxiliary Boutique Website.
Frogs and Fairies
Frogs & Fairies is a unique boutique specializing in offering our customers the best in new and nearly new infant and children’s clothing and accessories as well as maternity clothing. An alternative to consignment, we offer cash payouts for quality, name brand items.
General Hours
Urbana store – Tuesday 10 a.m.-6 p.m./ Wednesday, Thursday, Friday 10 a.m. -5 p.m./ Saturday 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Bloomington Store – Tuesday, Wednesday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m./ Thursday, Friday 10 a.m. -6 p.m. / Saturday 10 a.m.- 4 p.m.
Customer Testimonial: “Frogs & Fairies is my favorite store!! I can always count on finding my favorite brands at great prices. It is so organized and I love to pop in weekly to see the newest arrivals! I love that sometimes the outfits are already put together for me!”
Merchandise: Children’s Clothing, Shoes & Accessories sizes Newborn to 12 Kids & Maternity
Location(s): The Pines in Urbana: 2860 S Philo Rd.. Urbana (217)267-6700.
Bloomington: 120 Krispy Kreme Drive Suite 3, Bloomington
For More Information: Visit the Frogs and Fairies’ Website.
Karen’s Kloset
Karen’s Kloset is Central Illinois’ largest upscale consignment shop. We cater to busy moms with our “Drop and Run” consignment option or “Drop and Shop” names like Banana Republic, Loft, Coach and designer items including designer denim. Online accounts make it convenient to collect 50 percent of the selling price!
General Hours:
Monday-Friday 10 a.m. -7 p.m. Saturday 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Sunday 12 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Customer Testimonials: “I absolutely love to shop here. Only time I can get my husband to go shopping with me is if we’re going there.”
Merchandise: Women’s and Mens Clothing and accessories.
Location: Country Fair Shopping Center at the Corner of Springfield and Mattis, Champaign. 231 S Mattis Ave, Champaign.(217)355-9395
For More Information: Visit the Karen’s Kloset Website.
Sugar Creek Boutique and Gifts Unique
Sugar Creek Boutique is quaint little store located in Downtown Homer, full of small town charm. Here you are always greeted with a friendly smile and a welcoming “hello”. Sugar Creek Boutique is owner operated and pays great attention to every detail of your shopping experience.
General Hours:
Open Tues., Thursday, Friday, & Saturday 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Closed Sunday, Monday and Wednesday
Customer Testimonial: “Such an adorable little store and great to have so close to home!”
Merchandise for Sale: Gently used clothing sizes newborn through adult, hand crafted items by local artists, gift baskets, jewelry, glass bottled soda and much more.
Location: 118 S Main St. Homer. (217)896-4012.
For More Information: Visit Sugar Creek Boutique and Gifts Unique Facebook Page.
The Village Wardrobe
The Village Wardrobe is a children’s consignment store that believes resale shopping can have a boutique feel! In addition to upscale consignment, we carry brand new boutique sample sale clothing at half retail prices and unique toys and gifts! Shop leisurely and sip your glass bottled soda while your children play happily at the train table! Located on the Historic Monticello Square, you are sure to have a memorable shopping experience!
General Hours:
Tuesday through Saturday 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Customer Testimonial: “Best kids clothing store ever! I can always find great deals for my kids here!”
Merchandise for Sale: We sell newborn through size 14 clothing. We also have shoes, Usborne Books, Melissa & Doug Toys, New Boutique, and Gifts.
Location: On the Historic Monticello Square. 111 S State St. Monticello. (217) 817-0585
For More Information: Visit The Village Wardrobe’s Website.
Divine Consign
About: Divine Consign is a semi-annual women’s clothing sale. Women register as consignors, clean out their closets, price their items and drop them off prior to the sale. Divine Consign secures a beautiful location, markets the event to the public, manages the sale and distributes checks to consignors two weeks following the event.
General Business Hours:
Wednesday, October 2 9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. Thursday, October 3 9:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. Friday, October 4 9:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. (1/2 Off Sale) Saturday, October 5 8:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. (1/2 Off Sale)
Customer Testimonial:
“Divine Consign has been a great way for me to clean out my closet and make some extra cash and also find some very expensive items at a fraction of the cost!”
Merchandise for Sale:
Women and teens clothing, shoes, jewelry and accessories.
Location:
Grace Community Church, Champaign.
For More Information View The Divine Consign Website
Other locations/sales:
Women’s, Men’s, Kid’s, and More
Briella’s, Savoy. Women’s, bridal, baby, and children’s clothing and accessories.
Plato’s Closet, Champaign. Teens and young adult (men’s and women’s) clothing and accessories.
Restyle, Champaign. Womens, Mens, Juniors, and Maternity clothing. Also featuring small household items and room decor.
Kids Consignment
Bulldog Kids, Mahomet. Baby and children’s clothing, accessories, toys, and maternity items.
Strictly Kids, Gibson City. Baby/childrens’ clothing and accessories.
Womb to Grow Boutiques, Farmer City. Children’s, teen’s, and maternity clothes; children’s furniture and toys.
Kids Kloset, Danville. This children’s resale store will buy, sell, or trade children’s clothes, toys, and gear.
One Week Boutique: Twice annually in Champaign, spring and fall. Baby/children’s clothing, baby gear, toys, maternity clothing and accessories.
PVO PTO Children’s Sale, Ogden. A large community sale where you can find almost any child-related item. Clothing, toys, bikes, furniture, maternity clothes, strollers, sports equipment, games, coats, and much more! Maternity to teen. All items in great condition (no rips or stains) and priced to sell. Proceeds to benefit Prairieview Ogden Elementary PTO.
Do you have consignment or resale tips? Add them below!
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