The semi-annual Cute Kids Consignment Sale will be held in West Hartford on Sept. 18-20, 2014.

By Ronni Newton

The seasonal consignment sale has been a “don’t miss” event in the greater Hartford area for more than a decade, and this year the fall Cute Kids Consignment Sale will be held on Sept. 18-20 at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 2080 Boulevard, West Hartford.

Anne Carney (left) and Karen Hammond are the organizers of West Hartford’s annual Cute Kids Consignment Sale. Submitted photo.

Cute Kids began in June 2001 at the home of Karen Hammond, who along with Anne Carney is still one of the event organizers. The sale now includes more than 100 families who consign nearly 10,000 pieces of merchandise, and has long since outgrown Hammond’s home and moved to Westminster Presbyterian Church.

Cute Kids has a loyal following, and is the sale to attend for families interested in purchasing “gently worn” kids clothes (newborn through size 16) as well as toys, books, and accessories. Maternity and nursery items are also available.

Organizers are selective in accepting merchandise, and ensure that items for sale are in excellent condition with no signs of wear. Clothing must also be seasonally appropriate, and the fall sale is a great place to find a perfect Halloween costume for your little one as well as coats, boots, and holiday attire.

“We offer families a chance to sell outgrown or no longer used items that are still in good condition. People interested in selling items can set their own prices and place price tags on them. Items get dropped off at a designated time and Cute Kids does all the organizing, advertising, merchandising and selling. Sellers earn up to 75 percent of the price of items sold and also have the opportunity to donate unsold items,” said Hammond.

Clothing sold at Cute Kids must be “gently worn.” Submitted photo.

The sale is open to the public, at no charge, on Thursday, Sept. 18 (9 a.m. – 2 p.m.) and Friday, Sept. 19 (2 – 7 p.m.). Wednesday, Sept. 17 is “presale” day, and shoppers (adults only) can pay a $5 admission fee to have first dibs on some fantastic merchandise. On Saturday, Sept. 20 there will be a half-price sale on remaining items from 8 a.m. until noon.

Sellers pay $10 to participate, which funds overhead and advertising costs, but have the opportunity to earn additional “rewards” by volunteering at the sale. Goods must be dropped off, by appointment, on Monday, Sept. 15.

Cute Kids is not only a place where great merchandise can be purchased at reasonable cost and a way for parents to earn some extra cash. It saves sellers the hassle of having their own tag sale, gets outgrown and unused items out of the attic or basement, and benefits the environment by keeping things that might otherwise be thrown away out of the landfill.

Cute Kids is a great place to buy/sell strollers. Submitted photo.

Unsold items can be picked up by the seller, but many are also donated to local charities.

For additional information about the Cute Kids Consignment Sale, visit their website www.CuteKidsSale.com.

Toys and other children’s items are available at the Cute Kids Consignment Sale. Submitted photo.