5 Best Thrift Stores For Kids In NYC
Everyone knows that kids are expensive. Savvy, smart parents save money where they can, such as by buying adorable, new-to-you clothes from the city's best thrift stores. By Jessica Allen.
Located in Greenwich Village, Clementine doesn't give off the usual thrift store vibe. You won't find any mustiness or dustiness here. Instead, the shop, owned by a mother and daughter, feels more like a high-end boutique. The racks offer gently used kid's clothes up to size 4T, as well as maternity wear, by brands you've definitely heard of. Bonus! With the Frequent Shopper Program, you'll get $10 off at your next visit, once you spend $200.
Located between Avenues A and B in the East Village, Jane's Exchange is worth the trek. You'll find furniture, toys, strollers, baby clothes, and toddler clothes, along with a great selection of duds for pregnant women and moms. All the better if you have items you'd like to off-load: consignors get a store credit for every item sold. If you get tired, have a seat on one of the purple lounge chairs dotting the space; they were a gift from Hotel Gansevoort.
Offering "an eclectic mix of new and gently used children's clothing, baby gear, books, and toys," LuLu's caters to those 0+ (aka newborns) up to 8-year-olds. Among the brands this cute boutique in Park Slope stocks are Bonpointe, Tea Collection, Makie, Bu and the duck, Mini Boden, Lucky Wang, and Crewcuts. If you choose to sell before you buy, you could get up to 40% of the resale value of your items in store credit or 25% in a check (which will be mailed to you).
A national chain, Once Upon a Child opened in Staten Island in 1995. The locally owned and operated store buys and sells high-quality current clothes (i.e., styles from the past few years), marked down, in some cases, to 70% of the original price. Woo-hoo! Even more exciting for those looking to sell: you don't need an appointment to bring in your gently used, freshly washed items, and you'll get paid on the spot (assuming they want what you're offering).
All told, Unique has 12 locations around the United States, including three in the Bronx, Brooklyn, and Queens. The stores are big, but organized, chock-full of carefully selected housewares, gifts, books, toys, and clothes, including tons for your favorite small fry. (Why, yes, that is a selection of Frozen merch.) Be sure to sign up for the VIP program, which offers special discounts via email and 25% off marked prices on special VIP Member days.
