Milk Money Re-Opens For Back-To-School Shoppers On Tuesday

If you are like me, you have been fervently anticipating the re-opening of Montclair's Milk Money, which welcomes eager back-to-school shoppers and consigners on Tuesday, August 17. For those unfamiliar with Milk Money, it is a franchise children's consignment shop located at 76 Church Street. New owner, Andrea DelleChiaie, is a local parent and former Milk Money consigner who has taken on this venture with a fresh outlook.

The revamped store boasts a scrubbed, colorful new layout with clearly marked racks, and neatly organized merchandise. There is a redesigned play area to keep young ones occupied, with a Lego and train table, books, flat-screen TV, and a bright red comfy chair nursing moms will appreciate. DelleChiaie, along with some friends and family, did a bulk of the extensive renovating but, according to DelleChiaie, it was all worth it due to the "the support and excitement from the consigning community."

After a career in Television Production, DelleChiaie switched gears to stay at home with her two children. She is excited that owning and operating Milk Money will still afford her the opportunity to be a hands-on mom. "I want this to be a place where my kids feel comfortable hanging out after school and know this is family business with their involvement and input," she said.

DelleChiaie imagines Milk Money as more than just a place to score a Mini Boden pea coat, or get some cash for outgrown goods, but rather one that will also be an extension of the community. There is a large tree painted on the wall where future Milk Money shoppers will write their name on a leaf to be affixed to the branches, and a communal growth chart where siblings and friends can compare their heights for years to come. In the future, there will also be drawings for prizes to local establishments.

Dubbed "eagle eye" by one consigning parent, DelleChiaie wants customers to know she is discerning about items she'll accept, so that they don't have to be, noting, "you won't have to examine the items for stains for any holes, because I already have." The following checklist is gleaned from the Milk Money consigning contract and is handy to consult before bringing in items:

-- Is it clean and 100 percent intact?

 -- Is it in new or in like-new condition? (No stains, no excessive wear and tear.)

-- Is it current or vintage/groovy? (No "dated" clothing or gear.)

-- Is it in season? (No snow boots in April)

If looking to consign apparel, DelleChiaie would ideally like brands that are "Gap and above, like J-Crew, Mini Boden, Gymboree etc." She also notes, "but I will also take Carters and Children's Place because the quality is better than, say, Old Navy or Target." In addition to clothes and shoes, Milk Money accepts baby gear, hardcover books, DVDs, games, and toys. Milk Money is also stocking new Pokémon and sports cards, barrettes, headbands, and bows. DelleChiaie nicely sums up her new store by saying, "it (the former Milk Money) had so much potential, it just needed a big hug, and I gave it one."

Milk Money is located at 76 Church Street, Montclair NJ 07042

Phone number: 973-744-0594

Hours: Tuesday to Friday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Web site: milkmoneylove.com