Twice as Nice

We hate to say it out loud, but fall is approaching (please read that last part in a whispered hush). And even if all you’re facing is back-to-playschool, most growing kids will need new duds for the start of the season.

That’s why we thought you should know about some major consignment shopping events coming up in Ottawa. Not only do second-hand clothes save you money—they’re good for the environment, too, keeping gently used items out of the landfill.

Here’s our list of upcoming fall sales:

• Dandelion Consignments is a Stittsville-based shop that just opened in June and has a lot going on. It will host a Back-to-School Fashion Show on August 24 to raise money for the Tools4Schools Program, and a Mom-to-Mom Sale at the Stittsville Arena on September 19.
• The Multiple Birth Families Association is hosting its biannual Twins & More Sale on October 30 at the Nepean Sportsplex. This one is fast, lasting just two and a half hours. Get in early and head to the big-ticket items first, as they sell out fast.

• There will be several Outgrow Outplay sales in the Ottawa area this fall—one in Carleton Place (September 18), one in Ottawa (September 25) and one in Orleans (October 9). Admission is a non-perishable food item for donation to the local food bank. Kids (of course), enter for free. All items are 50% off during the final hour.
• If it’s women’s clothing you’re after, Blouses to Boots is holding an all-day sales event on September 27. You can register ahead of time to sell your own stuff—or just shop. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to breast cancer research.

If you’d rather shop on your own schedule, there’s no shortage of quality consignment boutiques to explore. Boomerang Kids is a perennial fave for children’s clothes, gear and toys. It’s not a big secret, but what you may not know is that they now have four locations across the city: in Orleans, Kanata, Westboro and Old Ottawa South. This place is famous for being picky about quality. You can usually expect them to refuse a solid proportion of what you bring in to sell, but the quality is excellent and they also stock some new items.

For moms who want to shop for themselves (hello?), we like The Clothes Secret on Bank Street. If it’s back-to-hockey season at your house, head to Play It Again Sports Ottawa for inexpensive gear (but check the quality carefully before paying). And who said clothes were the only items worth buying gently used? If autumn seems like a good time for a home makeover, check out Total Home Consignment. 

Don’t forget to do the annual clothing sort before you head out to stock up on new (to you) stuff—you may find that you have plenty to sell as well!

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