Activities for Kids

Consignment Shops & Sales for Back-to-School Steals

Unleash your inner thrifter. Great deals on cute clothes and gear are waiting for you at these stores and sales around town.

By Rebecca Little August 7, 2014

Back-to-school shopping can make a serious dent in the pocketbook — the clothes, the backpacks … the everything else you never knew your kid always wanted. Good news: You can get them ready without dropping a ton of money by taking advantage of the deals at local consignment shops and resales. Cute fashions and gear abound. Click through our album to find out where to go.

Fantastic Franchise: Once Upon a Child

The lowdown: This national franchise of resale shops has seven Chicago-area locations, each with its own slightly different policies and sales.

The merch: The hallmark of these stores is gently used children’s clothing, shoes, baby gear, furniture and toys -- all in excellent shape. There is a particularly good selection of costumes, swimwear and dancewear, which are all hard to find resale. Clothing brands include The Children’s Place, Polo, Hanna Andersson, Gap and Old Navy.

The deal: There is no appointment necessary to bring items in for consignment, and the locations pay cash on the spot for usable items. Sales differ at each location, so sign up each mailing list for alerts.

7246 W. Foster Ave., Chicago, 773-594-1705; 1600 W. 16th St., Oak Brook, 630-468-2330; 9900 Ridgeland Ave., Chicago Ridge, 708-499-7035; 9520 W. 159th St., Orland Park, 708-364-6333; 552 S. Route 59, Naperville, 630-416-9344;; 2108 Plainfield Rd., Crest Hill, 815-744-0202; 4616 N. Harlem Ave., Harwood Heights, 708-867-8651
Online: onceuponachild.com

Did we miss your favorite consignment store or sale? Let us know!

— Rebecca Little