Consignment for a Cause

In a recession, consignment offers two values. For people who have outgrown, or grown tired, of their household goods or clothing, resale gives them a chance for some extra money. For shoppers, consignment stores and events often mean a bargain.

Beginning Friday, a popular event focused on children's resale will be held at , 70 Sumner St. The Next Size Up Kids' Consignment Sale will be from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. April 29, and from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 30. A preview sale is Thursday for volunteers and a select number of new parents. Visit the event website to register.

Children's clothing, toys, strollers and other items are among the items featured. Car seats are only accepted for sale if they are less than five years old. And the organizers will sell cribs, but not those with drop-sides, many of which have been subject to recall in recent years, said Kristin Kane of Franklin, who along with Tiffany Miller, owns the Next Size Up Kids Consignment event business.

According to the organizers, about 150 people have consigned items so far. The consigners get 60 percent of the sale price of their items. The remainder is either reclaimed by them if not sold, or donated to Cradles to Crayons, a charitable organization.

Throughout the event, organizers will collect items for the in Milford. And on the second and final day of the sale -- which is the half-price day -- anyone who comes with at least two items for the food pantry will be admitted to the sale 30 minutes early.

Almost 10,000 items are expected to be featured over the three-day sale, Kane said. In each community that hosts the twice-yearly sales, Kane and Miller organize a benefit for a local charity. 

Last fall, the last time the consignment event was held in Milford, organizers said they donated 30 to 50 bags of groceries to the food pantry. That's because almost 600 people showed up for the sale, Kane said.

Shopping at consignment stores or events has become popular in an enduring recession, Kane said. "The economy has been a huge part of it," she said. "You have a baby. You spend a ton of money on [these items] and they're in great shape when you're done with them."