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.

North Shore Gem: Hand Me Downs

The lowdown: This is a classic. Monica Williams (the third owner of this 31-year-old Evanston institution) welcomes third-generation shoppers to her large, organized store.

The merch: Clothing brands run the gamut from Gap to Janie and Jack (no Old Navy or Target brands here) in sizes newborn to 10 for girls, and newborn to 14 for boys. Also expect a nicely edited and well-priced selection of toys (there’s lots for toddlers, plus many traditional and wooden toys), as well as books.

The deal: Williams buy clothing, toys and books from consigners outright, paying 30 percent of what she will ultimately price the item at. For instance, if a Fisher-Price Little People barn is in store at $12, a consigner would have been paid around $3.60. Equipment (high chairs, pack ‘n’ plays, cradles and the like) is sold on consignment with a 90-day contract and consigners receive 50 percent of the ultimate selling price.

614 Dempster St.  , Evanston  (847-475-0803 or handmedownsevanston.com)

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

— Rebecca Little