Woodbury’s Consignment Stores

Yes, it’s a cliché, but they grow up so darned fast, don’t they? As soon as you outfit your kids for one season, minutes later they’re straining the seams. It gets to be an expensive proposition. If you’re looking to save on back-to-school clothes, Woodbury has a number of consignment stores that carry clothes for students. These shops are a far cry from the musty Salvation Army warehouses of yesteryear: they’re clean, organized and carry the brand names that all the cool kids want. Once Upon a Child Once Upon a Child is the largest kids’ resale franchise in North America and carries clothes for youngsters through size 16. Customers sell used clothes to the store on a daily basis so you can expect a lot of turnover; check back often. If you’d like to sell last year’s discarded garb, check the handy-dandy “most needed” list on the store’s website. Brands: Old Navy, Gap, Abercrombie and Fitch, Nike, Skechers, Stride Rite, Adidas Prices: Jeans $5.50-$16  Sweatshirts $3.50-$10 Dresses $3.50-$18 Skirts $3.50-$8.50 Shoes $5.50-$17 Plato’s Closet This shop focuses on what’s trendy, cool and popular: most of the clothes have been in a retail shop only 12-18 months before. The website has “top 10 trends” and “style blog” sections for pre-shopping research. Manager Brian Jansen is married to Jenny Jansen, the manager of Once Upon a Child, and the two stores enjoy a handy interchange. Brands: American Eagle, Hollister, Abercrombie and Fitch, Banana Republic, Gap, Route 21, Miss Me, Big Star, Hudson jeans, Roxy, Aeropostale, The North Face, Columbia Prices: Jeans (designer) $18-$55, depending on brand and condition Shirts $3-$8   Jackets $23-$30   Turn Style Turn Style carries sizes from 2T on up, lots of designer and name brands, plus accessories like belts, shoes, jewelry and bags. The website’s blog includes announcements about new arrivals as well as style guides and fashion tips. While you’re there, check out the store’s extensive furnishing and home department—maybe you’ll find the perfect thing to spiffy up your living room. Brands: Gap, Justice, Children’s Place, Crew Cuts (J Crew), Crazy 8  Prices: 1/3 of retail Savers The motto at this shop is “good deeds great deals.” Money from sales benefits the Epilepsy Foundation of Minnesota, which picks up goods from houses and pays for them by weight. According to the manager, the store sells “everything”—shoes, shirts, jackets, undergarments, swimwear, socks, hats, boots, shorts, t-shirts, button-down shirts and more. The store offers a “super savers club card” for exclusive deals and events, and a stop here makes a good teaching opportunity about giving back and helping others. Brands: Whatever they get donated, from high-end to budget Prices: $.99-$20 Play It Again Sports Back-to-school gear isn’t limited to classroom garb; there is invariably a need for athletic clothes and sports gear too. Play It Again runs a brisk buy-sell-trade enterprise and the staff is knowledgeable and super friendly. This is guaranteed to be an enjoyable shopping stop for all parties; parents will find a few things for themselves as well.  Brands: Taylor Made, Easton, Bauer, Horizon, Adidas, Nike, UnderArmour, Wilson, Schwinn, Franklin, Reebok Prices: Baseball pants  $10-$30 Soccer shorts $10 Hockey socks $12-$50  &  Woodbury Consignment Shops for Kids  Once Upon a Child 10150 Hudson Road 651.734.9009 onceuponachild.com   Plato’s Closet 10150 Hudson Road 651.739.8737 platoscloset.com   Play It Again Sports 1705 Weir Drive 651.730.9093 playitagainsports.com   Turn Style 9470 Hudson Road 651.578.6684 turnstyleconsign.com   Savers 8401 Tamarack Road 651.294.0880 savers.com