Childish Things: You'll find posh tot clothes for every budget at this Crown Hill consignment store

When the nation's going under the limbo stick, is it unwise to open a new store -- before you know how low the economy's gonna go? Not if you're opening a kids' consignment shop. Across the country, shoppers are entering resale and discount stores in droves. And in Seattle, here's one more place parents can shop for gently used clothing, toys and gear.

Childish Things opens today in Seattle's Crown Hill neighborhood (10002 Holman Road). It's in a small building next to Mr. and Mrs. Wok, but carries a large assortment of hand-picked items, most at the $15 and under pricepoints. They offer kids clothes for ages 0-10, hats, shoes, toys and books, plus some new merchandise, like Klean Kanteens.

Wendy Powell, the owner, has run a successful eBay business since 1999. So she knows how to select brands like Petit Bateau, Catimini and N-Kids. She won't be carrrying store labels from Kmart or Target, because they're so inexpensive, even straight off the "new" rack.

Powell says she appreciates the ecological and financial benefits of consignment apparel. "You can take one item that used resources," Powell says, "and reuse it again, and make profit on it again."

Including parents. Powell purchases clothing or items outright, or parents can wait and get store credit. No need to make an appointment, because Powell or her staff will go through a bag (up to 30 pieces) while you wait. "Sometimes you feel like you just have to get stuff out of the house," Powell says. And if the store declines merchandise, you can drop off a bag at Value Village, just down the road.

While parents browse or wait to find out which pieces were selected, kids can cook with Childish Things's play kitchen or watch a DVD. Powell has two kids, aged 5 and 7, so she understands how parents appreciate a distraction while shopping.

Consignment stores save penny-pinching parents money as they save the planet, and may even help you make a little money too. And with so many popping up around town, soon every neighborhood will have one.

Copyright © 2009 The Seattle Times Company