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Business & Tech

New Resale Shop Gives Back to Schools

Stock up on back-to-school basics while making money for yourself and giving back to your district.

Few things bite the budget more than back-to-school purchases. Between supplies, clothes, shoes, sports gear and fees, you can see the money drain right out of your pocketbook.

Thanks to a new resale shop, you can stock up for cheap, while also helping support local schools.

Green Kids Resale, 833 E. Rollins Road, Round Lake Beach, is the brainchild of Pat Block of Antioch. The store buys and sells gently used children’s clothing up to size 16, maternity clothes, baby gear, toys, books and the like.

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When the former resale shop in that location closed, Block said she was at a loss about where to shop for her 5- and 7-year-old children without breaking the bank.

“I thought, ‘What are people going to do without this shop, in this economy and everything going on?’ ” she recalled.

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With no prior retail background, Block took a leap of faith in April and started her inventory from scratch.

Her goal wasn’t just to help families. She also knew her children’s schools needed a boost. She went to one parent-teacher organization meeting and realized there was a lot of volunteer work going into school fundraisers.

“I thought there has to be a better way at raising money to buy a new projector or new books,” Block said. “I think we need to change our mindset in how schools get their money and if everyone did a little bit, it could make a big difference.”

Block will donate 3 percent of her profits each quarter to local school districts.

Her idea is to give back to the community where the buyers live. When someone makes a purchase at Green Kids Resale they will be asked for their address. Then, each quarter, Block will run a report that tells her where the shoppers came from, and how much the schools in those areas will receive back.

“I really feel like the businesses that make their living off of kids really need to give back to the schools,” Block said.

A Win-Win-Win Situation

Shoppers like Gwen Johnson of Round Lake Beach thought giving back was a great idea. With children ages 7, 10 and 13 in tow, Johnson went to the store to stock up on their wardrobes.

“It’s nice because we can shop and we can sell things too so we can make a bit of money back, which we all like,” Johnson said.

Shayna Mortensen of Lindenhurst stopped in Green Kids Resale with her husband and two sons. With a baby due next month, Mortensen said she was “loving the deals” while looking for a pack-n-play, bassinet and double stroller.

“We got rid of too much stuff after the last baby, and now we need to find those things again, at an affordable price,” Mortensen said.

The great deals are what attract so many buyers. Gently used clothing, baby gear and toys fill the shelves. Many items have only been used two or three times, and some are brand new with the tags still attached.

“When our shoppers come in, they don’t realize what good sales we might also be running, so then they save even more,” said Amber Friddle, an employee at the store.

For those wishing to sell their items, Green Kids employees sort through the clothing, toys and shoes and purchase what is in good condition. Customers are paid once their items are sorted. If they receive store credit instead of cash, they receive an additional 20 percent.

“You see families who are struggling or those trying to get on their feet and you feel so good that they can get everything they need here, and also make some money. And some goes back to their school district,” said Block. “It’s really a win-win-win situation.”

Green Kids Resale is selling summer clothes for 50 percent off, and fall clothing for 25 percent off. The store is open every day of the week; it accepts items for sale Monday through Saturday.

To find out more information about Green Kids Resale, visit its website or call 847-986-6232.

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