A resale store shopper and fan myself, I wanted to know if Akron Ohio Moms followers were like me. Did they see value in shopping resale, and did they have a local favorite? One evening, I posted those questions on our Facebook page. The response was pretty amazing. Ladies weighed in on their favorites, and gave specifics about why they chose to shop at those stores. Once Upon a Child in Stow received the most comments – and all of them were positive. Customers sang their praises about their selection of great name brands, and for their regular coupons – a feature that not all resale stores have. Because of all this great customer feedback, we at AOM were happy to suggest that Channel 5 News film a Back to School on a Budget piece we worked on with them at Once Upon A Child. 🙂 In preparation for that piece and for my review, my girls and I headed over to Once Upon A Child to do some shopping.
I was excited to give Once Upon A Child in Stow a try, and see if they could outfit my girls, ages 4 and 9, in cute, up-to-the-minute fashions for school. Our challenge to them was to show us what we could get for just $30.00 per girl.
Our Experience at Once Upon a Child in Stow, OH
Walking into Once Upon a Child, we were greeted by pleasant, outgoing staff, including store owner, Annie Weddle. Annie shared with me that she’s been in business for about 15 years now – and some of her staff have been with her for almost all of those years. That alone tells me she’s doing something right, even before I get a good look at the store! The store itself was brimming with finds! Looking around, one could see baby equipment like bouncy seats and exersaucers, cribs, nice looking strollers, and of course, CLOTHES! The clothing was well organized, and it was easy to find sections for boys and girls of all sizes.
[slickr-flickr tag=onceuponachild]I have to tell you, with both of my girls, the challenge was narrowing down our finds to fit into our $30 parameter. My girls found tons of outfits they loved at Once Upon A Child. And, they were all name brand. At 4 years of age, Lila is pretty easy going – she’ll wear anything twirly and girly. Alyssa, on the other hand, now shops both styles and brands. She was on the hunt for Justice, Gap and Aeropostale, and she found them!
Photos and Price Details on Our Finds:
The photo above features Lila in a gorgeous 3 piece Gymboree outfit made up of a twill skirt, short sleeve polo, and coordinating cardigan sweater. This entire outfit was $9.50! Alyssa is modeling her sweet Candie’s brand peasant blouse ($3.50) and Gymboree jean skirt ($4.50) – that’s only $8.00 total. I loved both of these outfits on my girls.
This photo shows Lila in another 3 piece outfit: Stretch Gymboree Jeans ($6.50), a long-sleeve Gymboree t-shirt ($4.50) and a totally stinkin’ cute green cardigan vest from Eagle’s Eye ($7.50), totalling $18.50 for a picture perfect outfit. Alyssa’s outfit is made up of a Justice peace t-shirt ($4.50) and great fitting Aeropostale jeans ($8.50) – making her hip outfit come in at $13.00
In this photo, Lila is wearing a too cute Gap sweater dress ($8.50) with a Circo t-shirt underneath ($2.50), making this an $11.00 outfit. Alyssa’s pretty yet comfortable in a blouse from Love MKN ($5.50), and brand new, tags still on Gap knit yoga pants ($7.50). That brings her outfit to $13.00 total.
Now, to make these prices even sweeter, the week we shopped, Annie was offering a 15% off your entire order coupon! That brings my totals for all three outfits for both girls to:
Lila: $9.50 + $18.50 + $11.00 = $39.00 minus 15% = $33.15
Alyssa: $8.00 + $13.00 + $13.00 = $34.00 minus 15% =$28.90
That’s for 6 complete outfits, people! I find that simply amazing. You’d be lucky to get ONE of those outfits for $30 regular retail!
Our Results
The wide smiles on my girls’ faces because of their new, trendy school clothes was priceless, but I gotta tell you, I too was smiling because of the low prices! 🙂 Would you believe me if I said Once Upon A Child in Stow could sweeten the deal even more? The day we were shopping, I brought in a small bag of clothing Lila had outgrown that I wanted to sell. Once Upon A Child paid me $28.50, even after rejecting a couple of items. So ultimately, for 6 outfits for my girls, I had an out-of-pocket cost of about $33.00. That’s what I call stretching your dollar! We couldn’t be happier about the entire experience.
Shop. Sell. Repeat.
A word to the wise: repeat shopping at Once Upon a Child is a really smart thing to do. Annie tells me that on a busy day, they could have 75 people selling clothing to them. She and her staff turn around those new items within a day or two, and before you know it, they are on the racks waiting for you to check out. Their inventory truly changes daily.
Oh, and unlike some other resale stores, no appointment is needed to sell your items at Once Upon A Child in Stow. If they are open, they’re usually buying!
Once Upon A Child in Stow, OH
4272 Kent Rd.
Stow, OH 44224
330.688.7176
Once Upon A Child in Stow on Facebook
Hours: Mon. – Fri. 10-8, Sat. 10-6, Sun. 10-5
Win a $30 Gift Card to Once Upon A Child in Stow, OH – Valid only at Stow, OH location (Closed)
Updated: 8/31/11 Winner Announced: Michelle Detwiler
Once Upon A Child in Stow, OH is generously offering one local Akron Ohio Moms reader a $30.00 gift card to the store. Enter below for a chance to win!
Important Links to enter this contest:AkronOhioMoms.com on Facebook, AkronOhioMoms.com on Twitter | AkronOhioMoms.com Google Friend Connect | Upon A Child in Stow, OH Website | Once Upon A Child in Stow on Facebook
This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Facebook. In order to comply with the latest Facebook Promotion Guidelines (revised 5/11/11), the following statements are true:* Giveaway participants release Facebook from any responsibility whatsoever.
* Giveaways on this blog are in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Facebook.
* Giveaway participants are providing information to this blog and giveaway sponsors only; not to Facebook.
30 Day Winning Rule applies. For complete contest rules, please see our Contest Statement and Blog Disclosure.
Contest ends at 11:59pm EST on August 26, 2011 when a winner will be drawn at random. I will notify the winners and they will have 36 hours to respond!
This was not a paid post. My own opinions were used based on my perceptions and experience. Thank you to Once Upon a Child in Stow, OH who provided the products for review and giveaway.
