Why One Week Boutique is a destination for parents looking for savings on children's items

Jennifer Taylor was living in Alabama when she learned about a consignment sale for gently used baby and children's items. She raved about it to her good friend, Sara Barber, and her sister. Tallahassee needs one of those, they thought.

That was 13 years and 26 sales ago.

The One Week Boutique, co-owned by Taylor and Barber, began with 50 consignors at the cottages at Goodwood Museum & Gardens and later moved to the former Dillard's wing at the Centre of Tallahassee mall. 

Today, it's grown to include more than 700 consignors and 60,000 to 70,000 items coming through the door every spring and fall. The next sale takes place Friday through Sunday at the Tucker Civic Center, the host site for the last six sales. There's no charge for entry or parking.  

Getting the most for your money

The sale is beloved by those looking to stretch their dollars. Taylor and Barber have it down to an art. It's not uncommon to see them working on the floor. 

For first-time shoppers, it seems like a gold mine. A space in the lower level of the Civic Center is crammed with items neatly organized and labeled by size and section. Rows of strollers, car seats, pack and plays, walkers, furniture and bikes greet customers to the sale.

As shoppers work their way through, they search through racks of clothes for newborns and babies, along with older kids.  

Shoppers range from expecting mothers, new and seasoned parents and grandparents. More than 3,500 shoppers flood the three-day event.  

"It’s pretty crazy how many people come through that place,” Taylor said.

The importance of supporting local charities 

But, even with the sale's growth and success, Taylor is surprised it's still not on the radar of many residents and parents.

Consignors earn 65 to 70 percent of the sale of each item, and have the option of donating their items if they're not sold at the end of the sale. Seeing charities picking up items is Taylor's favorite part of the event. 

"Our biggest takeaway for the whole event is our charities and being able to stock their closets," Taylor said. 

Those charities include PHI Center (Pregnancy Help and Information Center), Brehon Institute, the Tallahassee Area Foster and Adoptive Parent Association, Christmas Connection, Zeta Phi Community Baby Shower, A Woman's Place, Clothed With Joy - Jefferson County and Allen Outreach with the Griffin Heights Neighborhood.

'Outfit your kids for the price of one'

Although Barber and Taylor have the consignment event down to a science, expect long lines to wrap around the perimeter of the space. Volunteers man 10 registers but the first few hours of the sale usually produces a rush. 

Taylor's advice for shoppers: Be patient. It's worth it. 

"If you have a lot of kids, it’s the place for you," she said. "You can outfit your kids for the price of one at the mall.”

Contact TaMaryn Waters at tlwaters@tallahassee.com or follow @TaMarynWaters on Twitter. 

Correction: The event website is www.theoneweekboutique.com. An earlier version had the wrong website. 

Event details

What: One Week Boutique Spring Consignment Sale

When: Friday 9 a.m to 6 p.m.; Saturday: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Sunday: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. (Half-price day sale)

Where: Tucker Civic Center

Cost: Free entry and parking.  

For new moms: The event offers a New Mom Preview Sale for expecting mothers or those adopting their first child from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday. Organizers require pre-registration for this part of the sale. Each new mom is allowed to bring one guest to help them shop.

Want to know more: Go to theoneweekboutique.com.