Buying new clothes every month or two is expensive in today’s economy, and it’s especially difficult to keep up with a child’s need for new clothing. That’s why Angela became interested in setting up a store to help other parents. With help from her niece, Kristy Voutour and friend Louise Learn, she recently opened Thrifty Kidz, Your New & Gently Used Children’s Store.
“I come from a family of six kids, so my parents really appreciated secondhand stores when we were kids,” says Angela. Being a mother, grandma and now a foster parent, Angela knows full well the costs involved with raising children. As she explains, “As a foster parent taking in only babies, I know that buying new clothing is very expensive.” “We’re glad to be here to help.”
Open since January 2013, the store also sells gently used children’s toys, furniture and equipment. You can find equipment such as excersaucers, bouncy chairs, jolly jumpers, backpacks, baby carriers, cuddle bags, baby monitors, booster seats (dining), potties, high chairs, double and jogging strollers, swings, gates and playpens.
Available are bassinets, cradles, dressers, rocking chairs, changing tables, indoor and outdoor toys, books for children and parents, learning toys, diapers, wipes and more. As far as apparel, Thrifty Kidz deals exclusively in children’s clothing, from newborn to size 12. Shelves are restocked every day.
“We are stocked full of delightful surprises but not so full that you can’t appreciate the items in the store,” says Angela. “There are the cutest boys and girls outfits and lots of toys for your kids to choose from”.
Instead of buying brand new clothing and other items, which can be expensive and is only used for a short amount of time, customers appreciate paying a very reasonable price. Over the course of a child’s upbringing, a parent can save thousands and thousands of dollars on clothing by shopping at a store like Thrifty Kidz.
The family-owned business maintains strict quality control on what it sells. Every item is cleaned thoroughly and nothing second-rated is offered. “We won’t put anything on the shelf that we wouldn’t use for our own children,” says Angela.
Thrifty Kidz is located at 1001 Rymal Road East (at Rockland Ave. Between Upper Gage and Upper Ottawa). The store is open seven days a week. Call 905-388-KIDZ (5439) or join their page on Facebook.
Buying days are Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday; Thrifty Kidz recommends that you call ahead before bringing in your gently used children items.