Husband, wife open consignment shop

Pat and Theresa Martin see growing up as a growth industry.

And to tap into that market, the couple plunged into business last week with the LittleBo-tique, a place to buy and trade "gently" used children's clothing and furniture.

"They don't wear clothes out, they grow out of them," Pat Martin said. "It's our way of recycling." He speaks with authority, something he attributes to the fact the husband-wife team have seen children between them and are expecting another one next month. A handful of items in the shop were taken directly out of their home. Another source, Theresa Martin said, was a similar store in Emporia that closed its doors, leaving behind a plentiful inventory. Customers also are welcome to bring in their own items to sell. To keep the selection fresh, the couple is always on the lookout for close-out sales. One recent find was an outfit Theresa now calls her favorite -- a striped denim "Baby Minnie" jumper, complete with a matching pink T-shirt. Requests for items such as swings and walkers are pouring in. The Martins said the furniture selection, which includes everything from cribs to a bath tub, may be one of the first areas to be expanded. Competition is isolated to the south and west areas of town, Pat Martin said, leaving North Topeka wide open for their consignment shop. Located at the south end of Doty's Upholstery and Awning in a former garage, fresh paint and windows have transformed the building into a cozy place for the racks of clothing. "There's nothing like this over here," he said. "And we've heard North Topeka is really growing. This just fit everything we needed." Even with low overhead costs and a prime location, venturing out on their own hasn't been without challenges. Tagging the inventory took more time than anticipated. Both Pat and Theresa work full-time jobs, relying on help from family to keep things running smoothly at Little Bo-tique. Keeping the store stocked with older children's clothing can be tough, too. School aged children, especially boys, tend to wear out attire faster than younger ones, Theresa Martin said. But all of the work has been worth it. "I never thought it would come through," Theresa Martin said. "It just kind of snowballed." Little Bo-tique, 1931 N.W. Topeka Blvd., is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6. p.m. For more information call 232-7793.

Copyright 1999
Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights Reserved.