Children's Consignment Store Gives St. Michael Shop a Second Chance

For over a year, the little red shop on Highway 241 sat vacant with a big “For Sale” sign out front. Each time St. Michael resident Deb Wahl drove by, she dreamed of what she would do with it.

“Originally, I thought it’d make a great coffee shop but my business partner wasn’t too keen on that,” she said.

The ideas kept coming. And  at the end of December, Wahl and business partner, David Miller closed on the building, which was the former home of Ruby Anna's (an occasional shop). Soon enough they were in renovating and planning.

 “I started asking myself what does St. Michael need? It hit me that St. Michael is full of kids, and a children’s consignment shop would be perfect.”

Wahl, who worked in the St. Michael/Albertville ECFE program with Deb Spencer for eight years when the program started, has spent the last 15 years doing home childcare for teachers’ children. Simply put, she knows kids.

The shop, cutely and appropriately named, Second Time’s a Charm, will open this Thursday.

“There’s no school Thursday, that’s how I chose that day to open. I won’t be doing daycare.”

Her hours will cater to both working and at-home parents as they are mostly evenings and weekends to start. The format of her shop is similar to stores like Once Upon a Child –  meaning, she will purchase items outright and one has the option to receive cash or store credit. She will consign larger items such as high chairs and exersaucers.

The shop is already filling in with inventory through word of mouth, and she will gladly start buying more when she opens later this week.

“I love the idea of her store. This will give families within our community a place to purchase clothing and items at more affordable price," said Deb Spencer, a St. Michael resident. "She is also working with people in the community by selling their crafts related to children on consignment, so I also like the fact she is looking at working with those in the community.” 

Items Second Time’s a Charm purchases include: children’s clothing clean and in excellent condition, very gently used wooden toys and puzzles, educational activities and toys and books published after 1985. Items Second Time’s a Charm consigns: strollers, high chairs, swings, pack and plays, exersaucers and Bumbos (all with instructions and product information).

For a complete list of items and requirements for selling to Second Time’s a Charm, check their website.

IF YOU GO: 

Hours beginning Thursday, February 17:

5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday through Friday

9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday

10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday