By Ali Munday
Poland native Gosia Staunches has traveled far and wide from Europe, to southern England, to upstate New York, to Texas and back again — and to the Southern Adirondacks.
Staunches opened her consignment boutique, Kids Closet Consignment in Queensbury. She already has a loyal clientele that people are chatting about online.
“Why not consign? Make money and save money all in one place,” said Staunches. The store, occupying 1,000 square feet on South Western Avenue in Queensbury accepts and re-sells good quality items of clothing for newborns, to sizes 14-16, and children’s sundries such as small swings, strollers, toys, books, games and even outdoor and sports equipment, plus a good selection of maternity clothing.
Staunches brings a well-rounded background to her business. Graduating first from a university in Poland with a masters degree in psychology, and then from an English language school in London, she also worked for a Polish company specializing in work and travel programs. She spent consecutive summers in the United States, developing a fondness for the Adirondack region.
Wherever her travels took her, Staunches shopped for deals for her friend’s and brother’s children in Poland.
“You can always find very nice and unique items for a reasonable price,” she said. “The clothes are less expensive in the U.S and the quality is much better here. Consignment stores here are completely unbeatable compared to the European market. I realized I wanted to own a place like that.”
Staunches married a Queensbury man, and the two moved to Texas, where their family grew to include a son. During this time, and shopping at other consignment stores, Staunches realized the opportunity in resale and began thinking about a business of her own.
“Raising a kid these days is not easy, and it’s expensive. I thought consignment stores were a brilliant idea. You can dress your child fashionably, they can have the best toys and books, and very inexpensively,” Staunches said. “Everyone has kids around, if not their own, friends or family, and there’s the problem with what you do with those clothes they outgrow.”
Staunches missed the change of seasons the Adirondacks offered – especially the winters that reminded her of her home in Poland, and the family returned to the area, ready to implement her business idea. With her husband’s help, they transformed a retail space that became “colorful, clean and organized,” she said.
At Kids Closet Consignment, consignors bring items in if they’re suitable for resale, and sign a contract for a two-month period. Upon sale, the consignor can elect to receive either 50 percent in cash of the overall sale, or select store credit to the value of 55 percent of the sale.
Every contract is computerized, and even available as a downloadable application. That lets consignors receive and track a list of all items being sold on their behalf, in addition to their own online account which shows them which items have sold. Customers can keep track of what revenue they’re making, and when their share is ready for pickup. If something remains unsold, the consignor can either reclaim them, or donate them. Committed to mothers and children, Staunches passes along unclaimed or unwanted items in good condition to Open Arms Pregnancy of Glens Falls, serving women with crisis pregnancy and life-crisis need throughout the region.
Additionally, she accepts supplies such as diapers and formula, and posts their availability on the store’s Facebook page, making them available free for pick up to families in need at the store.
Staunches has been heartened by the welcome she’s received from fellow business owners and customers. “This has been an awesome experience. My neighbors and fellow business owners are very friendly, they give me a lot of good ideas and advice, and really take care of me.”
For more information visit https://www.facebook.com/kidsclosetconsignment or www.kidsclosetconsignment.com. They are located off of Exit 18 on the I-87 Northway, off of Broad Street, and are closed on Mondays. Their phone number is 636-5564.