If you are like me, you have boxes upon crates upon bags of children’s clothes taking over your house. You are “saving” them for your “big yard sale”, which BTW, will probably never happen… We’ll C’Ville, there’s a new little shop in town that wants your clothes (among other items): Sugar Snap Consignment. Think eBay prices for gently used clothing in a child friendly shopping environment (added bonus: you actually get to see/try on the merchandise before you buy… much better than crossing fingers, in my opinion)!
Sugar Snap Consignment specializes in baby items, but also carries high quality children’s clothing (up to size 10), maternity clothing, nursing tops and cloth diapers, just to name a few . Prices range from $1.00 for onesies to $85 for new slings and designer diaper bags. Sugar Snap also carries new items such as hair bows, hand knit wool soakers and framed prints, all handmade by local entrepreneurs. Becoming a consigner at Sugar Snap Consignments is very simple and straightforward: Consigners can simply drop items off in bins with their contact information. The items are looked over in the next couple of days and a tally is given to the consigner with what the total “take” will be assuming the consignments sell. If the consigner is comfortable with the quote, the goods are hung in the store, priced and promoted. Each month, consigners will receive a check for the items that sold. Sugar Snap offers 30% commission on each item sold (items over $100 receive 50% commission or can be negotiated on a case by case basis).
Vijay Owens, a born and raised New Yorker, opened Sugar Snap Consignment only 2 months ago in the old Nature’s Child location in Forest Lakes. Though, she has exciting news: Sugar Snap Consignment will be moving to York Place on the Downtown Mall as of this Saturday (7/4). Vijay says she is lucky that her kids (Charlotte – 6) and (Violet – 4) have received many hand me downs throughout their childhood, but has found that other families are not always so lucky. Families that she spoke with were often lamenting the high prices of good quality children’s clothing and the low quality of lower priced apparel. She believes that, in theory, it is worth paying more for the better brands because they will last longer, but if money isn’t in the budget, quality clothes are not an option. Vijay began to envision a place where people could get barely-used better brands for amazingly low prices and where kids could sit and play while the parents shopped. Voila, another C’Ville Entremom business is born! Vijay says that Sugar Snap is partly driven by being budget conscious, partly driven by being environmentally conscious and partly driven by the knowledge that many local parents want to dress their children in sturdy, comfortable and classic items. Sugar Snap is proud that every dollar spent in the store will remain in Charlottesville. She doesn’t ship goods and there is no need for wasteful packaging.
So how does Vijay manage raising 2 little girls while outfitting our kids? Vijay’s younger sister, Hope Allen, is instrumental to making the business work. Hope stays home with the children while Vijay runs the store, helps run the store while Vijay is out and generally makes the whole “machine” work. Vijay claims that this venture would not be possible without Hope. Vijay’s husband, Charles, is also very supportive and helps with the technological aspect of marketing and promoting the business as well as keeping the children entertained on the weekends, all while working full time at State Farm. Vijay’s older daughter, Charlotte, can also be found helping out at the shop. Vijay manages all of this while also raising an Autistic child (Violet). What a strong and powerful role model you are Vijay!
Sugar Snap Consignment relies heavily on word of mouth to market the business. The shop recently started advertising campaigns in Albemarle Family, C’Ville Weekly and a local Forest Lakes newsletter. Future marketing endeavours includes ValPak coupons and Daily Progress ads. Vijay also says that moving into the Nature’s Child location helped spread the word.
If you are interested in learning more about Sugar Snap Consignments, you can visit their new location at York Place on the Downtown Mall, visit their website or email (sugarsnap@me.com). Sugar Snap is open Monday – Thursday 9-6, Friday 11-8, and Saturday 9-9. Start getting your stuff together readers and make some $$!!
Please note: photos from old location!
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