Family support and a strong love of kids is what prompted Elizabeth Gerritsen to open a children`s resale store in 1986. Kiddie Korner, a tidy and fun shop, is in downtown Libertyville. ”I love kids,” Gerritsen said. ”And I love cute clothing, so the combination seemed to work well.”
”I had my whole family behind me,” she added. Her younger daughter, Ester, works alongside her in the store. ”My older girl, Eva, is very artistic, so she does my windows out front. And Evert, my baby who is now 18 and 6 feet 5 inches tall, was the one who orginally thought of our name as well as laid the carpeting and put up all of the shelves. This store is not just about me, it`s about all of us together,” she added proudly.
What distinguishes this resale shop from others is that Elizabeth buys all items outright from her customers. ”People come in and sell us what they want,” she said. ”You set the price or we will-either way. After we look over the items, people get their money right away; there`s no consignment involved.”
Interested customers set up appointments to have their merchandise considered. But time slots fill up quickly. Gerritsen usually starts buying spring and summer items in February and fall and winter items in July. Toys and accessories such as highchairs and playpens are accepted year-round.
Kiddie Korner looks for high-quality name-brand clothing. ”Anybody can buy a cheap outfit and have it fall apart after two or three washings,”
Gerritsen said. ”Name brands last,” she added. ”But why pay $25 for Oshkosh overalls when you can get them here for only $5? We wash and iron just about everything. We are very fussy. After all, my grandkids are dressed completely from here. And they`re always getting lots of compliments!” she added.
Kiddie Korner also is a place where mothers can bring their kids and shop at their leisure. ”We have a miniature table set up with toys and books for children to play with,” said daughter Ester. ”Many of our customers claim that this is one of the only places where they can shop and not worry about their kids having something to do.”
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Kiddie Korner is at 118 E. Cook in Libertyville. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. For information or appointment, call 708-680-1460.
