Children's Resale Shop Opens in Waukee Monday

Mothers are truly an ingenious bunch.

When there's a problem, they come up with solutions. When you need something, there's always a mom willing to step up and help. When they want to get something done, it just gets done.

All those qualities apply to Nalan McConkey.

McConkey, a former stay-at-home mom to a 4 year-old girl, looked at Waukee, a city she's only lived in for a year and said, "You know what we could use? A children's resale store." And so she opened one.

On Monday, July 23, McConkey will officially open Growing Again Children's Resale Store at 264 W. Hickman Road. The little idea she had to make life easier and more affordable for moms has grown to fruition and McConkey couldn't be happier.

"I was a stay-at-home mom and I am a very active person," she said. "I like to think I'm a good mom and a good wife but I thought I could be more. That's when I started talking to my neighbor who loves resale stores and she took me through a couple and I got on Craigslist and I thought, 'Why don’t I do this?'"

While juggling mom duties and home life, McConkey began pulling together everything she would need to start a resale store. She called on friends and neighbors to comb through their closets and sell their gently used clothing, baby items and toys. She gathered up the knowledge to be a good business owner and formulated ways to give her clients a fair price. All in less than four months time.

"I would put my daughter to bed and do my research on the couch with my iPad," she said. "I read a lot, too."

McConkey said the store is currently accepting newborn to teen clothing as well as maternity wear, baby items, equipment and toys. All you need to do is gather up your items and bring them to the store for appraisal. Once she's finished, she will give you an offer which you can either accept or refuse.

"You can bring your clothes here and I can purchase from you or sell your things on consignment," she said. "It is a business and new interaction for the community. People are trying to save money and I want people to feel good here and be comfortable."

McConkey said she accepts most all gently used items. At this time, she is not accepting car seats or large pieces of furniture though that could happen at a later date.

Parents can bring their children's clothing, equipment and toys to the store today or tomorrow from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

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Growing Again Children's Resale Store

Where: 264 W. Hickman Rd., Waukee

Hours: Mon. through Sat., 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. and Sun. 12-4 p.m.

Contact: (515) 987-5705

Additional: The Waukee Area Chamber of Commerce will host a ribbon-cutting for Growing Again on Monday from 5 - 6 p.m. at 264 W. Hickman Rd. Attendees are asked to RSVP to www.waukeechamber.com/registration.