After Months of Planning, Local Women to Open Lizards and Lollipops Consignment Store Tuesday
By Trina Runner on April 29, 2017 via Connect-Bridgeport.com
Jenn Blair has three sons. Andrea Kerr has two daughters. Between them, they had a common issue of a basement filled with items for children and a common vision for what to do with all those clothes and toys. Lizards and Lollipops, a consignment store for children through young adults, is the culmination of that vision, with its Grand Opening on May 2. A ribbon cutting ceremony will take place at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, with the store opening at 10:00 a.m.Blair, a 1997 BHS Alumnus, knew she wanted to raise her children in the same safe, family-oriented city in which she grew up. One night, at a mutual friend’s house, Blair and Kerr were discussing the need for a children’s consignment store in Bridgeport and an idea was born that came to fruition just a few months later.
“I had always wanted to open my own business, especially a children’s consignment store,” said Blair. “After I found out Andrea was also interested, we brainstormed for names, business ideas and how we could give back to the community that has been so wonderful for our families.”
Lizards and Lollipops is located at 134 W. Main Street, offering roughly 900 square feet of selling space. Hours are posted on site as well as on their Facebook page, Lizards and Lollipops Consignment.
“The location is ideal. People are already stopping by, waving as they pass and looking in as the drive past the store,” said Kerr. “It’s truly heartwarming to see all the support we have received.”
The duo began collecting consignment items months before securing a location. Initially, consignments came from friends and family, but more recently extended to those contacted through social media promotions.
“We offer a 60%/40% split to consigners and require that clothes are clean, stain-free and have no holes in them,” said Blair. “We will be very selective in what items we take since we would like to maintain a boutique feel and focus on good quality products and high-end brands. We will also be using velvet hangers instead of plastic to maintain the shape of the garments.”
In addition to children’s clothing, Lizards and Lollipops will also sell clothing sized through young adults as well as handbags, shoes and most toys and baby items.
“We will not be accepting stuffed animals of any kind, but will accept toys in working order with no recalls and any equipment such as strollers, swings, and furniture for babies,” Blair said.
Currently, the store is accepting items for Spring and Summer, with a maximum of 100 items dropped off at a time. Days consignments will be accepted will be posted on their Lizards and Lollipops Consignment Facebook page, as will any updates and promotions. They also have an Instagram account and will be selling merchandise on both social media platforms in addition to in-store sales.
Consigned items will be on the floor for 120 days and consigners will have the option of picking items back up or having Lizards and Lollipops donate them to the Clarksburg City Mission or Shepherds’ Corner. They will also have a small section at the store for donations to families in need when emergencies occur.
Blair and Kerr are committed to being actively involved with the Bridgeport community. In addition to participating in Main Street Mondays, Light Up Night, and Halloween, Lizards and Lollipops will also be giving a free book to every child whose family makes a purchase. Additionally, they will also have their signature lollipops on hand.
“We are so excited for the opening on Tuesday,” said Kerr. “We have such a wide variety of clothing and merchandise, there is something for everyone!”
