Fill in the gaps of back-to-school shopping with fall consignment sales. Stock up on baby, kid, and maternity clothing as well as gear, toys and furniture (or unload those that are taking up room in your house.)
Although most sales require a little hunting, low prices absolutely make them sales worthwhile. Know that some moms take this resale business very seriously and plenty of diehards line up early to get first pick. If you’re just in the market for clothes and toys, being an early bird isn’t that necessary because there is usually plenty to go around. But if you’re looking for a high chair, stroller, or the ever-coveted double stroller? Then show up early because those items go first.
Do:
-Bring a laundry basket to hold your goodies, the collapsible kind is best for your own convenience.
-Bring cash, it’s the easiest and fastest way to pay, and the best way to stick to your budget.
-Bring a cardboard cutout or foot measurements of your kid’s feet to check and see if resale shoes will fit.
-Come with a list, because these sales can be overwhelming. Know what you need and in what sizes.
Don’t:
-Bring your kid, if you can avoid it, unless it’s an infant in a sling. Kids aren’t allowed to play with toys at these sales and that’s hard to explain, let alone to enforce while you’re shopping. Plus, it goes much faster with out them.
-Bring strollers, they usually aren’t allowed at the sales.
SEPTEMBER
When: Friday, Sept. 7th from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday Sept. 8th from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and the half-price sale on Sunday, Sept. 9th from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: Libertyville Sports Complex (1950 N. Hwy. 45, Libertyville)
Admission: Free
Purchases: Cash, Visa, Mastercard and Discover accepted.
Highland Park’s Three Church Rummage Sale
When: Friday, Sept. 7th from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 8th from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Where: Trinity Episcopal (425 Laurel Ave., Highland Park), Immaculate Conception (770 Deerfield Rd., Highland Park), Highland Park Presbyterian Church (330 Laurel Ave., Highland Park).
Other details: Rummage sale with clothes, toys, and other household goods.
When: Saturday, Sept. 8th from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.; half-price sale starts at 11:30 a.m.
Where: DuPage County Fairgrounds (2015 Manchester Rd., Wheaton)
Admission: Free.
When: Friday, Sept. 14th from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday Sept. 15th from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 16th from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: Grundy County Fairgrounds (Morris)
Purchases: Cash, credit, and check.
Church of the Nazarene: Children’s Clothing and Toy Resale
When: Saturday, Sept. 15th from 9 a.m. to noon
Where: Church Gym (12725 Bell Rd., Lemont)
Admission: Free
Purchases: Cash only
Other details: One laundry basket allowed; no children or strollers permitted.
Miraculous Multiples Mothers of Twins Club
When: Saturday Sept. 15th from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Where: Huntley Park District (12015 Mill Street, Huntley)
Admission: $1
Purchases: Cash or check accepted
Other details: Bring a laundry basket; no strollers permitted.
North Shore United Methodist Church Bargain Fest
When: Saturday, Sept. 15th from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Where: North Shore United Methodist Church (213 Hazel Ave., Glencoe)
Other details: Clothing for children, women and teens, as well as games, toys, accessories, and baby items.
Kid Stuff Resale by Mothers & More of McHenry County
When: Saturday, Sept. 15th
Where: St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church, 1023 S. McHenry Ave., Crystal Lake
Admission: $1 or a food pantry item
Purchases: Cash
Other details: One laundry basket allowed; no strollers permitted.
When: Friday, Sept. 21st from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 22nd from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Where: Kane County Fairgrounds (525 S Randall Rd., St. Charles)
Admission: Free.
Purchases: Cash, check, and credit.
Other details: Bring a bag to shop; strollers allowed.
Bugaboo Children’s Consignment Sale, 20,000 square feet of clothing, toys, gear, and maternity.
When: Friday Sept. 21st and Saturday, Sept. 22nd
Where: Kendall County Fairgrounds (Route 71 and E. Highpoint Rd, Yorkville)
Admission: Free
Purchases: Cash and check accepted
Other details: No large bags allowed; strollers checked on the way in. Cloth bags, rolling carts, and laundry baskets permitted for shopping.
The Lake County Mother of Twins Sale
When: Saturday, Sept. 22nd from 8 a.m. to noon
Where: Round Lake Beach Cultural and Civic Center (2007 Civic Center Way., Round Lake Beach)
Admission: $2
Purchases: Cash only
Will County Mothers of Twins Club
When: Saturday, Sept. 22nd from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. (Doors close at 11 and reopen at 11:30 a.m. for half price sale on pink tag items)
Where: Romeoville Recreation Center (900 W. Romeo Rd., Romeoville)
Admission: $1
Purchases: Cash only
Other details: Bring a laundry basket; no strollers or wagons permitted
Rhea Lana’s of West Chicagoland
When: Sunday, Sept. 23rd from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday, Sept. 24th from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 25th from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: Villa Oaks Shopping Center (218 W. Roosevelt Rd.,Villa Park)
Admission: Free
Purchases: Cash or credit
Highlands Clothing Exchange (for infant and preschool children)
When: Thursday, Sept. 27th from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., Friday Sept. 28th from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., when many items are half off.
Where: Highlands Elementary School (525 S. Brainard St., Naperville)
Purchases: Cash and check only.
Park Ridge Newcomers Club Fall Kids Sale
When: Saturday, Sept. 29th from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Where: St. Andrews Lutheran Church (260 N. Northwest Hwy., Park Ridge)
Admission: $2
Purchases: Cash or credit card; minimum $50 purchase for credit cards. Sales tax charged on all purchases.
Other details: Bring a laundry basket to shop; no strollers or carts allowed.
OCTOBER
When: Saturday, Oct. 6th from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 7th from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: Barrington location TBA – check Web site for details
Admission: Free
Purchases: Cash and Visa/Mastercard accepted
Moms of Multiples Upscale Resale
When: Saturday, Oct. 6th from 9 a.m. to noon
Where: Unitarian Church of Evanston (1330 Ridge Ave., Evanston)
Admission: $1
Purchases: Cash only
Other details: One laundry basket allowed; no strollers permitted