Sizing them up: Children’s resale shop celebrates first year in business

Making that first-year milestone as a business is always noteworthy. One Carson City mother-daughter team counts on the day-to-day growth of their clients for their success.

When it comes to growing toddlers to pre-teens, the demand for clothing is always there. And that’s why Claudia and Anastasia Chambers opened Little Monsters, a children’s resale shop located at 444 E. William St., Suite 1 in Carson City on Dec. 1, 2013.

The 1,800 square-foot store, next door to Ben’s Liquor and the Cracker Box, specializes in selling high-quality, gently used children’s clothes, shoes, books, DVDs, toys and equipment.

The store carries a variety of brands like Carters, Gymboree, Old Navy and OshKosh B’Gosh and even specialty brands like Hannah Andersson, Nartjie, Tea, and Ralph Lauren. There is also new clothing and fantasy play like wings, tutu’s, capes, pirate regalia, and other fun costumes.

But this is not a consignment store. Instead, the shop buys gently used clothing outright from their customers and give store credit in order for families to purchase new items. They may seem particular about what they will buy, but their thought is, if you wouldn’t want to buy it neither will their customers. They want to respect their customers buy selling only quality items that their children would feel happy to wear.

“We knew we wanted to have a good selection of high-end clothing,” said Anastasia Chambers, the daughter of the team. “There is no place in Carson City you can buy some of the brands we carry. We also carry sizes for older children. Most children’s resale shops only stock up to 5T; we carry up to youth size 16-18.”

Feeling the peer pressure in school, older children are very brand conscious about their clothes. For the children over 5T, they carry Justice, Volcom, Gap, Tommy Hilfiger, to name a few. “We want your child to be happy and confident in their appearance and look forward to helping you be able to do that on a budget.”

The Carson City area has many retail clothing options including big-box national outlets and thrift stores, but Little Monsters fits in between those options. The owners believe by carrying quality items, and offering a large size range, families will choose to shop with them. The store fills a much needed niche in the very competitive retail market.

Equipment items like bouncers, strollers, swings, changing tables and cribs are very expensive for a young family to afford. Buying these items new, that a newborn will use for maybe 3 months, just doesn't make sense. Wise parents and grandparents know a gently used swing they pay $40-60 for works just a good as a new $120 swing. Plus, when their child outgrow the equipment they can sell it to the store and get store credit for a new piece of equipment.

Little Monsters store is in a space that for many years was home to offices. Their landlord, The Hone Company, did a complete remodel of the space and now it is bright and colorful with a fun mural of monsters splashing in a lake.

“I’m really excited about making it through our first year,” said Claudia Chambers. "We have met so many wonderful families and consider many of our customers to be friends.”

The store is such a happy place for children too, she says. They can occupy themselves by checking out the toys, books and DVDs while their parents shop.

“We all know that shopping with kids is one of the most stressful things for a parent, but at Little Monsters, it is a pleasure for all involved,” she said, noting that families are budget-conscious but also demand quality.

The store is open from 10 am. to 6 p.m. seven days a week. They take 'buys” on Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. If you’re looking for something obscure, they may have it. Clients can always call (775-461-3838) or stop in. They do not sell used car seats or breast pumps. It is important to check the government safety recall website to make sure your equipment is not on the recall list. They have their buying guidelines on their facebook page too at Facebook\littlemonsterscarson.

To celebrate their one year anniversary Little Monsters is having a sale now through Dec. 6, with everything in the store 25 percent off.

"We are so thankful to all our regular customers for their support and look forward to welcoming new families to our darling little shop" said Claudia Chambers.