PlanJam!From your screen to the scene

Parents know the conundrum: You want your sweet baby to look her best, but not in a ninety dollar dress that she’ll wear twice and outgrow in three months. Contemplate Chloe’s Closet, a consignment store located in the trendy and sophisticated Bernal Heights neighborhood of San Francisco. The colorful walls, checkered floors, and quaint strings of white lights make the place feel more like a hip boutique than a consignment shop. Voted Best of the Bay 2005, 2006, and 2007, Chloe’s Closet buys, sells, and trades clothing from newborn to six years, as well as toys, gear, books, videos, and maternity clothing.

But we’re not talking any old used thing. Chloe’s only sells “popular” and “up-to-date” items in great condition. The walls display rows of funky rain galoshes and Robeez. The clothing racks are filled with one quality item after another, with enough variety to match any parent’s taste. “I happened on this store by accident,” the mother of 15-month old Emma said, “and can’t describe how excited I was. I bought designer outfits that normally run very expensive for only a few dollars.” The toys—many wooden and educational—are immaculately stacked from floor-to-ceiling, and range from traditional stacking rings to art easels to a wooden rocking horse. Parents can also find gear such as strollers and carrying slings; and their tots can cozy up in the reading corner near bookshelves filled with picture and board books.

For those wary of sifting through used items, Chloe’s Closet only accepts clothing “freshly laundered (preferably in an unscented detergent); free of stains, holes and excessive wear; folded neatly in a bag or box.” Toys must be “in good condition, clean and in good working order” and “not be missing any important pieces.” The battery-operated toys should even include installed working batteries.

Chloe’s Closet is more than the average consignment store. It involves and connects with the customer more than one would expect of such an establishment. The shop stays open every day of the week to accommodate all kinds of schedules; and includes helpful information online such as their consignment policies, personalized wish lists, and a mailer that comes with five dollars in credit. To top it off, Chloe’s also connects with the community, locally donating consignment items that haven’t sold within eight weeks.

Make a day of it. Chloe’s Closet is located within easy walking distance from the public library, an ice cream parlor, a playground, restaurants, and a yoga studio that offers pre-natal, post-natal and kids’ yoga. Parking is even relatively easy. There is enough expense and stress that comes with parenting—don’t let how you clothe your child be one of them. You can move onto the next conundrum: explaining to your child why she shouldn’t stick peas up of her nose.