Grandma-centric consignment store attracts moms of all ages

A Mundelein woman started her resale business with grandmas in mind.

The concept has grown to attract moms of all ages.

Kristine Rickert came up with the idea to start a consignment shop filled with baby items that are helpful to have on hand when children go to visit their grandparents.

Rickert came up with the idea when she was watching her little niece. It grew cumbersome to lug bouncy chairs, portable cribs and toys back and forth between the baby's home and hers.

She started looking around for a good deal to pick up a high chair or a toy to keep the baby busy. Friends and neighbors were in the same situation and also were looking for baby gear at reasonable prices to have on hand for when grandchildren came to visit.

To accommodate this niche market, Rickert launched Here Whee Go Again, a consignment business.

Instead of running a traditional shop, she decided to hold several sales a year to sell the merchandise.

The next sales run from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, July 15, to Saturday, July 17, and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, July 18, at 1447 Peterson Road in the stores in front of Sunset Foods.

Rickert worked with the Centro Management Co. on a temporary lease that will allow her to utilize space only a few weekends a year.

"It's a win-win situation," Rickert said.

The shop is filled with hundreds of items from area consignors. Toddler beds, changing tables, motorized cars, portable cribs and clothing are part of the mix. "And there are toys galore," said Rickert, 57.

The entrepreneur is adamant that all the items she receives are clean and have all the necessary pieces.

"It has to all be in gift-giving condition," she said, adding that volunteers and consignors help run the sales.

Rickert is using her sales and marketing background in getting the business going. She retired about five years ago from a 24-year career in sales and marketing. Not ready for a retirement lifestyle, Rickert came up with the idea for the Here Whee Go Again. "I'm very creative," she said.

She recently ran a similar sale in Lake Bluff, but found that the location in an industrial park did not supply the foot traffic needed for this type of event.

The sale this weekend will also feature items from two designer clothing lines. The merchandise from the Emily Lacey line will be offered at prices between 60 and 80 percent off. Rickert explained that the Lake Forest designer is going out of business and liquidating the clothing line. A private label designer of women's clothing will also have samples on sale during the sale.

For more information, contact Rickert at herewheegoagain@att.net.