Back to School Secondhand Shopping in Brooklyn, Austin and San Francisco

Back to school shopping for children’s clothes is a never ending ordeal. As soon as you’ve bought your kids a season’s worth, chances are they’ve outgrown them. Consignment and thrift stores make the whole process a little lighter on the wallet or you can grab some secondhand steals readily available on Krrb. So to get into the season, we chatted up a few shop owners in Brooklyn, San Francisco and Austin about how they prepare for the back to school crowds and their fond memories of new backpacks and lunchboxes.

Lulu’s Then and Now in Brooklyn, New York

Located in Park Slope, Brooklyn, Lulu’s Then and Now carries gently used children’s clothes from the little tykes that live in the surrounding neighborhoods. They also carry secondhand baby gear, toys and books. Claire and Thea who run this local consignment shop have an eye for vintage children’s fashions. Every Thursday on their tumblr, they feature retro designs for sale. Be sure to check Lulu’s Then and Now Krrb corner for back to school deals.

Hey Thea, what image do you associate with heading back to school?
It’s easy to say that yearbook pictures are the images we associate with “back to school.” As we get older, and our memories start to become hazy, we can look back on these photos to remember. Remember that year, the day, our friends. I don’t know about you, but I had a different look for each year! Picking out the right outfit and how I was going to do my hair was always a stressful event, but so much fun!

What are you seeing come into your shop for the season?
When we start shifting our stock to fall, we see a lot of rain boots, and a lot of corduroy – dresses, trousers, jackets, and of course we always love a great corduroy vest!

Who doesn’t?
Finish this statement. Back to school is a time for ________.
Making sure you have enough pencils! Lots and lots of pencils! Are kids still using pencils at school anymore? Or all they all using iPads now?

Thanks Thea!

Little Green Beans in Austin, Texas

The Little Green Beans shop in North Austin is where the locals go for gently used children’s clothing, books, baby furniture and maternity clothing. Owner Sharon Munroe also stocks her shop with new eco-friendly toys and baby gear that can be passed on from family to family. When kids grow out of clothes so quickly, parents know to check Little Green Beans on everything from jumperoos to play tables and scooters.

Hey Sharon! What image do you associate with heading back to school?
I think of children in adorable clothing and a new backpack outside of their school waving good-bye to their parents.

So cute! What are you seeing come into your shop for the season?
Adorable tops, jeans and 2-piece sets. Our typical customer has at least one child age four and under and matching sets from name brands are big sellers.

You’re not a student anymore, but what do you do differently when it’s back to school season?
With my customers and my own children we doing more planning. We want to balance school with fun and make plans for our time together. Halloween will be here before we know it!

Thanks Sharon!

Peekabootique in San Francisco, California

Who better to deal with the back to school crowd than Michael Stanton, owner of Peekabootique in San Francisco? As a student himself, he knows how important it is for children to stock up on shoes and clothes for the year. More so, he knows how to keep it budget-friendly. If you’re in the Bay Area, be sure to pop in to Peekabootique for great secondhand fashions for your little ones.

Hey Mike! What image do you associate with heading back to school?
I think of having my lunch bag and backpack, saying goodbye to my mom and riding my bike to school. It was all about new beginnings and new adventures.

What are you seeing come into your shop for the season?
As it gets cool here, we get long sleeve tees and holiday dresses that they outgrew last year and are still in good shape. In San Francisco, we get jackets all year round.

What do you think is the most important back to school supply?
The lunchbox or the backpack because they are used daily and should be comfortable. If it’s not, it becomes drudgery and you don’t want to go to school.

So true. Thanks, Mike!