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| Copyright 2007 Yooper Spectator |
Baby Belle-tique celebrates its first
year in business!
year in business!
by Mae Leaven
Baby Belle-tique at Huron Center, Houghton (just down from the
Dairy Queen), is now a year old. I thought I’d fill you in a bit on
their history and my personal thoughts of the store.
I’ll have to say, when Leanne had the idea to open a store that
specialized in second-hand clothing for children and expectant
mothers, my first thought was, ‘Do you think we really need
another second-hand shop?’
We have had our share of used clothing stores in the area that
didn’t succeed. They were over-stuffed and carried clothes that
were passed on from my mom’s friend Ethel whose sister got
them from her friend’s great-grandma. Can we say over worn
and outdated?
Well, Leanne’s idea of a used clothing store was quite different
from others. What sets Baby Belle-tique apart from all the rest is
that they buy better brands of clothing and are highly selective
about its condition and age.
The resale boutique is clean, organized, and not over stuffed.
They have a great variety of gently used maternity and
children's clothing. No other store in the area has specialized in
these criteria. They’re selective in terms of what they’ll take.
They use the same standards that someone buying clothes at a
store in the mall would use: No stains or holes, unless they were
meant to be there, of course.
Oh--and did I mention reasonabley priced. This year, parents
across the country are projected to shell out $7.6 billion on
clothes and accessories — or about $232 per household,
according to the Washington, D.C.-based National Retail
Federation. To shave some of the spending, parents and kids
are turning more toward resale boutiques and thrift stores for
clothing.
The cool thing about living in this generation is that shoppers of
all income levels no longer attach a stigma to second-
hand stores; many people now consider shopping at a thrift
store smart shopping.
At prices that are a fraction of the original retail price how can
one go wrong? To me, the bigger stores are way overpriced
anyway.
Getting good clothes, even ones slightly used, at great prices is
attractive to every customer. Who doesn’t like to get a good
deal on clothing, especially when they’re for children?
My son has gone thru more clothes in his first year than I have
in ten! Being a single mother, had it not been for Baby
Belle-tique’s slightly used clothing I would’ve had to resort to
wearing paper bags on my poor baby.
They are a store that keeps a steady stream of new items in
stock as well, from shoes and baby shower gifts to nursery
décor and diaper ointment. There’s a bit for everyone looking
for a good deal on children’s items.
Want to sell clothes you've bought in the last year or two?
They’ll buy gently used clothing, often from the same people
who shop at the store. If it fits Baby Belle-tique’s criteria (almost-
new condition and still in style) they’ll pay you 30 to 40 percent
of the resale price.
So go on in and check it out for yourself. I know you’ll find
something to buy for someone.
Baby Belle-tique at Huron Center, Houghton (just down from the
Dairy Queen), is now a year old. I thought I’d fill you in a bit on
their history and my personal thoughts of the store.
I’ll have to say, when Leanne had the idea to open a store that
specialized in second-hand clothing for children and expectant
mothers, my first thought was, ‘Do you think we really need
another second-hand shop?’
We have had our share of used clothing stores in the area that
didn’t succeed. They were over-stuffed and carried clothes that
were passed on from my mom’s friend Ethel whose sister got
them from her friend’s great-grandma. Can we say over worn
and outdated?
Well, Leanne’s idea of a used clothing store was quite different
from others. What sets Baby Belle-tique apart from all the rest is
that they buy better brands of clothing and are highly selective
about its condition and age.
The resale boutique is clean, organized, and not over stuffed.
They have a great variety of gently used maternity and
children's clothing. No other store in the area has specialized in
these criteria. They’re selective in terms of what they’ll take.
They use the same standards that someone buying clothes at a
store in the mall would use: No stains or holes, unless they were
meant to be there, of course.
Oh--and did I mention reasonabley priced. This year, parents
across the country are projected to shell out $7.6 billion on
clothes and accessories — or about $232 per household,
according to the Washington, D.C.-based National Retail
Federation. To shave some of the spending, parents and kids
are turning more toward resale boutiques and thrift stores for
clothing.
The cool thing about living in this generation is that shoppers of
all income levels no longer attach a stigma to second-
hand stores; many people now consider shopping at a thrift
store smart shopping.
At prices that are a fraction of the original retail price how can
one go wrong? To me, the bigger stores are way overpriced
anyway.
Getting good clothes, even ones slightly used, at great prices is
attractive to every customer. Who doesn’t like to get a good
deal on clothing, especially when they’re for children?
My son has gone thru more clothes in his first year than I have
in ten! Being a single mother, had it not been for Baby
Belle-tique’s slightly used clothing I would’ve had to resort to
wearing paper bags on my poor baby.
They are a store that keeps a steady stream of new items in
stock as well, from shoes and baby shower gifts to nursery
décor and diaper ointment. There’s a bit for everyone looking
for a good deal on children’s items.
Want to sell clothes you've bought in the last year or two?
They’ll buy gently used clothing, often from the same people
who shop at the store. If it fits Baby Belle-tique’s criteria (almost-
new condition and still in style) they’ll pay you 30 to 40 percent
of the resale price.
So go on in and check it out for yourself. I know you’ll find
something to buy for someone.
| Copyright 2007 Yooper Spectator |
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