Smart Parents Shop Resale: A Guide to Consignment/Resale Stores in Atlanta

By Emily Webb . January 1, 2026

Once Upon A Child, Austell

Children grow fast — sometimes overnight — and keeping up with their ever-changing wardrobes can feel like a constant (and expensive) race. Resale shopping offers a smarter, more sustainable way to dress kids without sacrificing quality or style. From barely worn baby clothes to durable playtime favorites, secondhand finds make it possible to save money, reduce waste and still keep closets stocked for every growth spurt. Plus, you can clear clutter and make some money when you consign from your own closets.

Consignment Shopping Around Atlanta

Metro Atlanta is home to many consignment stores and sales.

“Sweet Repeats is special, because it has been in Buckhead for more than 40 years,” says owner Leigh-Ellen Fitzgerald. “It is the oldest running children’s and maternity consignment shop in Atlanta. It is a fun shop with new arrivals every day.”

Resale and consignment shops help consignors make money and offer high quality items to shoppers at a discounted price. Sellers receive a percentage of the sales price, so these shops are a win-win-win for the store, the consignor and the buyer.

Semi-annual consignment sale, Kidsignments, started more than 30 years ago. “My son wore something, he’d outgrow it, and I’d put it in the next sale,” says owner Jeri Lynn. “Resale expands the life of these items.”

Secondhand means a second life for items, not that they aren’t worth having.

“There is a misconception that you are compromising on what you get,” says Tracye Poole, owner of Once Upon A Child, a resale store in Austell. “We have an exhaustive assessment process. We’re not going to buy things we wouldn’t put on our own children.”

These stores have a great assortment of inventory as items move in and out, so you can shop a new selection often. Sales are seasonal, typically twice a year, for updating your child’s wardrobe.

“Sweet Repeats receives more than 100 clothing items daily that are processed and put out on the floor to sell,” Fitzgerald says. “We get all the brands from Target to boutique, and every item is in excellent condition. We also post some of the specialty items on our online store.”

With resale, the consumer gets a good price for a nice item. You can buy more, and you can afford higher-end items that may usually be out of your reach.

“We’re all on a budget and looking for ways to stretch our budget,” says Sarah McGarl, owner of Rhea Lana’s of North Atlanta, a seasonal children’s consignment event. “You can come to an event like ours, where clothing is 60%-90% off retail prices. You can buy an entire season’s wardrobe for $150. You can get quality and quantity at our events.”

These stores and sales offer a one-stop shop for all your child’s needs from clothes to shoes to baby equipment to toys. Often, there is also an area for expecting mothers.

“You can both buy and sell at the same time,” Poole says. “You can come in with some of those gently used kids’ items, and we can either give you cash on the spot, trade for something in the store or get a store credit for a future purchase. You walk away purging your home and coming away with things you would have paid more for at a retail store.”

Kidsignments

How to Shop

Shopping consignment is smart at any age, but especially when your child is going through a growth spurt. Poole knows the power of shopping resale. “I was a parent shopping at these types of stores before I was an owner, because I have a 7-year-old whose father is 6’9”, and she’s growing like a weed! I bought shoes and within weeks, she would outgrow them.”

The first time you visit one of these stores or sales, you may be overwhelmed, so take in the space and the layout before you start shopping.

Rhea Lana’s of North Atlanta has two spaces next to each other. “We’re bigger than what a Toys”R”Us was, and we have more inventory than a Target or Walmart,” McGarl says. “We have everything you would need if you’re a mom or expecting.”

Sales often offer special ticketed admission before the space opens to the public.

“Go early to get the best selection and deals,” McGarl says. “What you pay in the ticket, you will make up for in the savings. At our event, you can bring one guest, so you can split the ticket cost with a friend, shop the boutique brands you want, get the best selection of clothing and shoes, and have the best dressed kids in Atlanta, because you shopped before everyone else.”

At Kidsignments, helpers shop first. “Workers prescreen items to make sure only quality items are available,” Lynn says.

Bring your own bag or wagon, as most sales don’t provide bags. Bring water and a snack, wear comfortable shoes and leave your kids at home with a babysitter. McGarl recommends drawing an outline of your child’s foot, as shoe sizing can vary.

Based on the selection of stock and the price points, you may have a hard time focusing. “It can be so tempting to find more than you need,” Lynn says. Unlike retail stores or online shopping, where you have to search and filter for what you need, clothes are organized by size, so all of the items are grouped together. “I could easily find too much clothing that I ‘need.’ Come prepared with a list, so you don’t overbuy.”

Sales usually have a half-off day, typically on the last day on many of the items left. On these days, you can stretch your money easily but be prepared for crowds. Sales and stores may offer special discounts on certain days or to certain families. Find information about these deals online.

Be aware of child safety whenever you are shopping. “Whether you’re buying resale or new, make sure you’re registering for recall alerts,” Lynn says. “Some baby equipment, like car seats, have an expiration date. See when the car seat was manufactured, even when you’re buying new. If it has a 5–6-year life span, but it’s been sitting on a shelf for a year, you won’t get the most longevity out of the item.”

Rhea Lana’s of North Atlanta

How to Sell

Consignment makes it simple to rehome the items you no longer use and earn money for them. Each store has its own rules. Stores set their own pricing guidelines, so a consignor may make anywhere from 30%-60% off the sold item. Consignors may receive store credit or cash. Check websites to see what items are accepted or call the store to see what’s more likely to sell.

“It is so easy to sell at Sweet Repeats,” Fitzgerald says. “All one has to do is simply drop their clothes off anytime. They need to be folded neatly in a bag or box. The consignor receives 40% of each item that sells.”

At Rhea Lana’s of North Atlanta, consignors earn 35%-75%, and they also offer VIP Consigning for busy moms. “The items are barcoded, so they can follow the sales online and know how much they’re making. If they’ve made $1,000 so far, they can go in and use that money as consignor credit to buy the next season’s wardrobe,” McGarl says. “We have a foster family and military family  shopping day where families can get everything for free, so if consignors donate, they know their items are going directly to families in need.”

Before bringing in your clothes and items, make sure they are in the best condition.

“Come prepared with your clothes freshly laundered in a box, bin or bag. Don’t put it in a trash bag, because if you wouldn’t buy from a trash bag, neither would anyone else,” Poole says. “Put it in the condition of how you’d want to receive it.”

Equipment and toys will need to come with everything. “We do require folks put it together, so we know there’s no missing item. We need to see it’s in working condition before we can accept it,” Poole says. “We want to guarantee to the buyer that we have tested the equipment or toy, and it was ready to go.”

Sorting through what you already own is a big first step, especially if this is your first time consigning. “Sort items by what would sell for the most first, so you’re getting more bang for your buck for the time you’re spending, and you’re getting the big stuff out of your house,” Lynn says. “Price things what you would expect to pay. Don’t price with sentiment. If you have something very sentimental, keep it. If you bought something for $50 and want $50 for it, you’re probably not going to sell it.”

Make the Most of Your Experience

  • Allow time for browsing and shopping around to compare items and pricing.
  • If you see something you like, buy it! It might not be there later.
  • Shop regularly, as inventory changes frequently and seasonally.
  • Returns may not be accepted — check store policies.
  • Follow your favorite store’s social media accounts for more information on methodology, discounts and specials.
  • Visit stores and websites to find the right fit for you, and review their policies. Compare payment percentages for each store.
  • Check for seasonal start dates, and review what pieces the store is or isn’t accepting. Clothes are seasonal at both shops and sales.
  • Presentation counts. Before trying to sell, examine your clothing for stains, rips, missing buttons, stuck zippers, smells and other flaws. Make sure any worn items are freshly laundered.
  • Pin or store clothing or items that go together, such as a matching top and bottom set or the remote control needed for a toy car.
  • Review the hours when clothing is accepted, and check to see if you need to make an appointment.
  • Review your agreement. If you want unsold items returned to you, know the date you will need to pick them up, and write it down on your calendar. Clothing not picked up is often donated.

Sweet Repeats

Where to Shop

Upcoming Sales

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