notes: http://www.wickedlocal.com/acton/news/business/x1945278539/Kids-consignment-shop-opens-in-West-Acton Kids consignment shop opens in West Acton By Becki Harrington-Davis Fri Dec 04, 2009, 08:41 AM EST * Tools: * Print * Comments * ShareThis * StumbleUpon * Newsvine * del.icio.us * Digg Acton, Mass. - When Jillian Shaw found out she was pregnant with a girl, she went to consign her son’s outgrown clothes but wasn’t happy with what she found: the resale clothing at used stores looked worn, and high-quality items were carelessly mixed in with less expensive pieces. That’s when Shaw decided to use her retail merchandising background to open her own upscale children’s and maternity consignment store. Four months after her daughter was born, Buttons and Bows Consignment Couture opened at 12 Spruce St. in West Acton. “I feel like I’m meeting a need that wasn’t being met and putting my own spin on it,” Shaw said. “My goal was to make it look like a retail store, but it’s consignment.” With parents tightening their budgets, the retail industry has seen a 30 percent increase in consignment sales over the past year, Shaw said. However, buying used doesn’t have to mean poor condition. “People are always looking to be smart with their money, but they still want things that are nice,” she said. Buttons and Bows only accepts items that are “Gap and above” quality because the owner says clothing from Target and Wal-mart do not wear well enough a second time around. Shaw makes sure every item sold is de-fuzzed, ironed and clean; consignors who bring their items in presentable condition will receive a higher percentage of the proceeds than consignors with items that need cleaning. However, Shaw accepts “drop and run” items as well because she wants to make it as convenient as possible for parents to consign. Mariah Straayer, a customer and consignor of Buttons and Bows, said that consigning is a great way to go green. Reselling means being a good steward of her belongings, she said. “These things don’t even look used,” she said. Shaw’s consignment policy is to place items on sale for 90 days. After that time, consignors can opt to have unsold items returned or to donate them to a local charity organization, such as Baby’s Breath Crisis Nursery in Worcester. For customers, Shaw’s goal is to make Buttons and Bows a comfortable, attractive and kid-friendly place to shop. For parents shopping with babies, a changing table is located in the bathroom, and Shaw doesn’t blink when toddlers hop on tricycles for a test ride. The store offers clothing in sizes newborn to kids’ 14 as well as maternity. Popular brands for children include Mini Boden, Baby Lulu, Hanna Andersson, Lilly Pulitzer and Catimini. In the future, Shaw said she would like to expand into teen brands as well, such as Abercrombie and Fitch. In addition, Buttons and Bows sells baby gear and some new accessories and gift items, so customers can complete an outfit all in one trip. Shaw also began selling bun holders and dance tights as a service to customers who use Acton School of Ballet across the street. Before having her son, Shaw learned the retail ropes as a merchandiser and retail representative at The Paper Store for seven years. Recently, she took courses on writing a business plan through the Center for Women and Enterprise in Worcester. While owning a business and raising two young kids isn’t easy, she said, she is an entrepreneur at heart. Through networking with a friend, Shaw rented the former location of Hopscotch Toys and Books, applied a fresh coat of paint, and opened the doors Nov. 1. She is planning a grand opening celebration Saturday, Dec. 12. -> The business closed, but the ladies are still around in the community. http://www.wickedlocal.com/acton/news/business/x1945278539/Kids-consignment-shop-opens-in-West-Acton Kids consignment shop opens in West Acton By Becki Harrington-Davis Fri Dec 04, 2009, 08:41 AM EST * Tools: * Print * Comments * ShareThis * StumbleUpon * Newsvine * del.icio.us * Digg Acton, Mass. - When Jillian Shaw found out she was pregnant with a girl, she went to consign her son’s outgrown clothes but wasn’t happy with what she found: the resale clothing at used stores looked worn, and high-quality items were carelessly mixed in with less expensive pieces. That’s when Shaw decided to use her retail merchandising background to open her own upscale children’s and maternity consignment store. Four months after her daughter was born, Buttons and Bows Consignment Couture opened at 12 Spruce St. in West Acton. “I feel like I’m meeting a need that wasn’t being met and putting my own spin on it,” Shaw said. “My goal was to make it look like a retail store, but it’s consignment.” With parents tightening their budgets, the retail industry has seen a 30 percent increase in consignment sales over the past year, Shaw said. However, buying used doesn’t have to mean poor condition. “People are always looking to be smart with their money, but they still want things that are nice,” she said. Buttons and Bows only accepts items that are “Gap and above” quality because the owner says clothing from Target and Wal-mart do not wear well enough a second time around. Shaw makes sure every item sold is de-fuzzed, ironed and clean; consignors who bring their items in presentable condition will receive a higher percentage of the proceeds than consignors with items that need cleaning. However, Shaw accepts “drop and run” items as well because she wants to make it as convenient as possible for parents to consign. Mariah Straayer, a customer and consignor of Buttons and Bows, said that consigning is a great way to go green. Reselling means being a good steward of her belongings, she said. “These things don’t even look used,” she said. Shaw’s consignment policy is to place items on sale for 90 days. After that time, consignors can opt to have unsold items returned or to donate them to a local charity organization, such as Baby’s Breath Crisis Nursery in Worcester. For customers, Shaw’s goal is to make Buttons and Bows a comfortable, attractive and kid-friendly place to shop. For parents shopping with babies, a changing table is located in the bathroom, and Shaw doesn’t blink when toddlers hop on tricycles for a test ride. The store offers clothing in sizes newborn to kids’ 14 as well as maternity. Popular brands for children include Mini Boden, Baby Lulu, Hanna Andersson, Lilly Pulitzer and Catimini. In the future, Shaw said she would like to expand into teen brands as well, such as Abercrombie and Fitch. In addition, Buttons and Bows sells baby gear and some new accessories and gift items, so customers can complete an outfit all in one trip. Shaw also began selling bun holders and dance tights as a service to customers who use Acton School of Ballet across the street. Before having her son, Shaw learned the retail ropes as a merchandiser and retail representative at The Paper Store for seven years. Recently, she took courses on writing a business plan through the Center for Women and Enterprise in Worcester. While owning a business and raising two young kids isn’t easy, she said, she is an entrepreneur at heart. Through networking with a friend, Shaw rented the former location of Hopscotch Toys and Books, applied a fresh coat of paint, and opened the doors Nov. 1. She is planning a grand opening celebration Saturday, Dec. 12.
status: Open -> Standby