Honesty is the best policy.

I love meeting new people everyday. I love talking to folks. I love seeing my regular, neighborhood families come in and tell me how much they enjoying shopping at GROVE STREET kids. These are just some of the many pleasures I derive from running my own business.

Some of the things I don't love are picking up after someone else's kids or finding unwrapped or damaged merchandise after the the customer has left. But for a small business, especially a retail business, these things are part and parcel of running a store that caters to kids and their families.

One thing that I dread dealing with, and have yet to actually confront someone about, is shoplifting. I know it's happened, in one form or another: tag-switching, returned items that have been used and claimed not to be, or just down-right walking off with something without paying for it. I've never actually seen it happen at GROVE STREET kids, and even if I were to, I'm not sure how I would handle it. Can you imagine having to walk up to a five or six year old child, after seeing him or her surreptitiously putting a little toy or purse I have for sale in his or her pocket and saying "I'm sorry, honey, but before you can take that home, Mommy or Daddy has to pay for it." Frankly, I hope that day never comes.

So imagine my surprise when, upon my arrival to work this morning, I opened the front door to find a little leather bracelet that I sell on the floor, next to an envelope with the words "I'm Srreey" scribbled in a child's hand on it; obviously dropped through the mail slot by the "culprit's" parent. It took just a moment for me to realize what had happened and, upon closer inspection, I noticed the envelope was actually sealed. I opened it to find a lovely drawing of rainbows and sunshine on one side of the paper,
and a letter of admission of guilt and an apology
on the other.

It read, roughly: "Dear Store. I stole this bracelet yesterday. I'm Sorry."

It was very clear to me that this child probably had no idea that what he or she did was wrong- "what does 'stole' mean, mommy?" Or maybe s/he didn't know just how wrong it was. Who knows? S/he simply saw something that sparked his or her interest and helped themselves. What warmed my heart about it, aside from the hearts and the butterflies, was that the parent saw fit to recognize that the misdeed had to be corrected and had the child not only return the bracelet, but apologize for taking it. I'm certain the child learned a valuable lesson. But what is more important, in my view, was the example that was set. In my business, it just doesn't happen enough.

Cleaning out your closets?

It's that time of year. Some folks are über organized and get their closets cleared in time for the holidays, in order to make room for all the new stuff to come. Most people wait, however, until after the holidays have past to do it. GROVE STREET kids has been hit hard this week with the fruits of their labor - which is great, it allows us to peruse the gamut of styles, sizes and seasons that make their way through our doors. However, some folks walk away disappointed when they take the time and expend their energy hauling multiple bags and/or boxes and still leave with multiple bags and/or boxes.

So we thought we'd offer some tips for making your selling experience at GROVE STREET kids the most successful, for everyone involved:

1. Check our website first: www.grovestreetkids.com. We do our very best to keep it updated as to the particulars of what season we are looking at and buying, what sizes we are in need of and accepting, and what we are not accepting. In addition, there is helpful information like, our buying hours and our trading and drop-off policies.

2. We wash everything (with the exception of new items with tags still attached) before it is placed on the floor for sale, whether or not you wash it before bringing it in. However, we do not purchase items, purposefully, with stains, tears, missing buttons etc. Items with stains (only) that are of the size and season we are in need of, will be purchased for a $1 selling price. This is because, if we can't get the stain out, we send it straight away to our $1 rack or bins. What this means for you: the better condition your items are in, the better price you will obtain for them.

3. If you decide to bring in your child(ren)'s wardrobe from the age of 2 until 7, you will be asked to drop the items off (be sure and read our drop off policy!), as to allow the buyer to peruse them at her convenience. In addition, you will likely receive a volume price for your items. We simply do not have the capacity to purchase everything from everybody. It is in your best interest to bring in items periodically instead of all at once.

4. Call ahead to make sure the buyer is in. Like most people, and especially people with young children, life's little emergencies sometimes arise and the buyer is not always available at the specified buying times. If you call and you don't get to speak to a live person, please leave a message. It is our policy not to answer the phone whilst we are helping or assisting our customers in the store. If you leave a message, we will call you back.

5. Please don't take the "rejection" of your children's clothing personally! Items are chosen primarily on two factors: supply and demand. We often don't buy certain items of clothing that we personally like, simply because they don't sell. On the flip side we do buy certain items simply because there is the demand for them (can anybody say "sweatpants"?) As a general rule, GROVE STREET kids doesn't buy "character" items, however, there are simply some characters (ie. Hello Kitty or Thomas the Tank Engine) that would just be poor judgement not to buy, as they do sell, in almost any condition.

We hope these tips help you to sort things out and make your selling and/or trading experience at GROVE STREET kids to be the most successful it can be. We certainly do appreciate your business!

GSK is giving thanks.

In retail, the holiday season can prove to be stressful and hectic to say the least. In years past, I have had a difficult time wrapping my head around the notion that people are already Christmas shopping when Halloween costumes are still on the racks. And usually, I have waited until "Black Friday," on which we have always been closed, to change the windows out and decorate for Christmas. This year, however, I didn't wait, and Christmas is already up and sparkling throughout GROVE STREET kids.

So why is this year different? I wish I knew the answer to that, but for the last couple of months, GROVE STREET kids has been so busy that waiting just wouldn't have been prudent. And for this, we are so thankful! In these challenging economic times, GROVE STREET kids feels exceedingly fortunate that our business is growing and flourishing. Honestly, there is a part of me that is waiting for the other shoe to drop... that it's going to slow down. But for now, at least, let us just send abundant thanks to all of our customers and friends that have helped make the last year one to be grateful for. Happy Thanksgiving to all!

Donations... where do they go?

A lot of folks ask us where we make our donations to when they come into the store. In the past, GROVE STREET kids has donated to national organizations such as Goodwill and The Salvation Army but also local organizations such as A Safe Place (Domestic Violence Services) in Oakland and Harrison House, a shelter right here in Berkeley. GSK also accepts requests for shelters and/or organizations of their customers' choice.

Recently, with the combined efforts of our neighbors at Positive Motion Training Studio, Grove Street Kids was able to send a large amount of used clothing and shoes to the children and families of AHOPE Ethiopia, extending their efforts internationally. Positive Motion's co-owner Laura Lambert delivered the items personally.

AHOPE is a non-profit organization that helps the orphan children of Ethiopia, with an emphasis of helping children living with the HIV-virus.

We received a letter from the director of AHOPE thanking us for our donations. We are at once pleased and humbled at the opportunity to be a service to this wonderful organization.

Introducing... oishii

GROVE STREET kids is pleased to announce the latest addition to our family....oishii modern knits. Beautifully hand crafted knit caps for babies on up are now available in our store. Hand-knit with 100% natural fibers (cotton, modal, wool) by designer Erika Kemp and her team right here in Berkeley. Come check out our selection. Don't see what you like? We can special order!

Previously available at the former O Baby Baby and Waddle & Swaddle, oishii (meaning "delcious" in japanese) designer and owner Erika Kemp makes beautiful, oh so soft baby hats, blankets and ponchos. She also does custom orders in colors and yarns that you can choose from, in the combination you would like.

We are very excited about this new partnership, and hope that you will be too!

Read more about oishii here.

Back to... Ghoul?

Is it just me, or are the seasons out of order this year? It seemed like all summer long, it was winter, and now that fall is vast approaching, we are now having the summer sun and heat! I guess that's why us locals refer to this time of year as "Indian Summer" or the "Dog Days" of summer. But because of our particularly cold, actual summer having been so long, I'm just now starting to get used to the warmth and sunshine, yet people are coming into the store requesting... Halloween Costumes!

Rest assured, GROVE STREET kids will have a great selection of used and new Halloween Costumes. Everything from Fairies and Firemen to Pirates and Pixies. Superheroes. Goblins and Ghouls.



Truth be told, Halloween is one of my favorite occasions to celebrate and I love decorating the windows for it. Check out our slide show to see Ghouls and Goblins Past. But for now, we'd like to let our customers know that the costumes are coming... we'd just like to soak up a little more sunshine first. Look for costumes on the racks by the end of next week, and in the windows the first week of October.

Back to school.... already?

GROVE STREET kids just celebrated having opened our doors 2 years ago (July 18, 2007). My how time flies! It seems like just yesterday that I was collecting inventory from all my parent friends to have something to put on those racks! Well, there's no shortage now, and GROVE STREET kids is ready for "Back to School." And we have recently updated the store to make your shopping experience more convenient and enjoyable. Come check it out!