New children's consignment shop opens off Randall Road
Love it Again, a new children's consignment shop off Randall Road in Lake in the Hills, has been 13 years in the making.
When Monique and Michael Mahon had their first child 13 years ago, they started shopping around for cute baby clothes.
They went into all kinds of stores, and the children's consignment shops caught their eye.
They decided that was the kind of business they would like to open for themselves.
They researched the idea, and thought about opening a franchise, but the location just wasn't right.
So they put the idea on the back burner and decided if it was meant to be, it would eventually happen.
Over the years, they continued to research the idea, talking to various shop owners, customers and moms about what works and what doesn't work in different consignment shops.
Finally, last month, they opened that shop that they'd been dreaming about for years. Love It Again is located at 9 Crystal Lake Road, Suite 100, in Lake in the Hills.
“We decided if it ever was going to happen, now was the time because the economy was right for it, and we went to work on it,” Monique Mahon said.
The store opened at the beginning of December, and has been growing ever since.
She said area moms are spreading the word once they discover the store, and each day the Mahons are finding new customers come through their doors, either looking to sell clothes or buy.
The store sells clothing and other items for children ages 10 and younger. In addition to clothes, they have toys, books, baby gear, high chairs, strollers, shoes and more.
All of the items, she said, are better brands such as Gymboree, Justice and Lands' End.
“Everything we buy has to be new or like-new quality. It can show no wear at all,” she said. “I turn a lot away because I'm just being very picky.
“The best compliment I get is when people are amazed at the quality of what we have,” she said.
All of the items they have are sold on consignment, which means the seller gets the money when the item is sold.
They also sell homemade items, such as hair bows, blankets, also on consignment.
She says the opportunity to sell and buy these items is great for the community. It gives local moms a spot to buy good, quality clothing for their children at a great price, and it gives local moms a chance to make some money by selling some of their items.
“It's a win-win for everybody,” she said. “The money stays local because it's local moms and I feel like we're helping the local economy.
“The response from the community has really been overwhelming. It's amazing to me,” she said.
The store is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday, with hours until 8 p.m. on Thursdays. It is closed Sundays. For details, visit loveitagainltd.com or call (224) 333-0264.
• Amy Williams' column covers all the news of business along the Randall Road corridor from Batavia to Crystal Lake. Contact her at randallbiz@comcast.net or (847) 894-5036.