There must be something in the water 'round these parts, because it seems a lot more babies are being wheeled around the streets than ever before. In just two years since taking over Urban Baby and the sister store Urban Objects, the dynamic duo have built a clientele that stretches far past their Chapel Street storefront. These baby buyers, along with those who don't have to trek as far, shop for the store's European clothing lines, such as Baby Lulu, Zutano, Petit Elephant and I Golfini Della Nonna, as well as the Baby Bjorn baby carriers, sterling silver rattles and numerous other tyke trinkets. These range from The Salvation Army or Goodwill to small, volunteer-run church thrift shops. These stores obtain goods through outright donation or operate on a consignment basis.
Some thrifts do both.
A consignment shop accepts merchandise on a consignment basis, paying the owners a percentage of the sale when the items are sold. The majority of such shops pay the owners from 40 to 60 percent of the selling price. Some consignment shops also purchase items from owners or wholesalers. 688 Foxon Rd., East Haven, 468-6575. He recently taught a seminar on Internet marketing at the American Gem Society's annual confab.