Children are

a gift from heaven, or so we've always been told. But they are not always

a gift for the wallet. Before you know it, they've outgrown their clothes

and need new set of everything, right down from their socks to their cribs.

Andrea Palaia,

along with her husband Frank, recognized this very problem when they experienced

it firsthand. "We have two children of our own and know how expensive

it can be for trendy name brand clothing and accessories," Andrea

Palaia said. "We felt many people simply did not want to pay department

store prices."

So the couple

came up with a solution, a children's clothing consignment store. New

2 U opened in July and is located on North Glynn Street in Fayetteville,

behind the Waffle House. But the Palaias will be the first to tell you

it is much more than just a consignment store.

New 2 U offers

children's clothing from infant to size 16, as well as cribs, strollers,

gifts and accessories, and a line of maternity clothing. Andrea Palaia

said one of the goals of the store is "to provide affordable, quality,

name-brand products at a fraction of department store prices."

People wanting

to sell their clothes on consignment at New 2 U should bring in their

items. They must be for the current season and be cleaned and pressed.

According to Palaia, the clothes are held up to very high standards. "They

have to look almost like they've never been worn," she said.

Although the

store sells the majority of its items on consignment, New 2 U also offers

new brand-name clothes. Palaia said she is always willing to go the extra

mile to satisfy her customers. When someone comes in looking for a specific

item not carried in the store, she will go out on her own and find it

for them, even if it means going to other vendors. "If a customer

is looking for something special, we will always satisfy their needs,"

Palaia said.

Not only does

New 2 U offer gently used and new clothing, but the store also offers

a custom-made line of outfits.

"We work

with our customers," Palaia said. "If someone needs a custom-made

dress for a wedding, pageant or any other special occasion, we can provide

for them."

The store also

offers custom-made Halloween costumes. New 2 U works with a designer,

who can meet with customers in the store to get measurements and ideas

of what the outfit will look like.

The consignment

store is expanding in other directions as well, not just in its clothing

lines. Palaia said there are plans underway to expand the back room of

the store into an area to host parties, from scrapbooking parties to etiquette

classes.

With all the

many features of the store, New 2 U adds up to a unique shopping experience.

As Palaia said, "We may be a consignment store, but you will never

feel like you are shopping in one."

Back

to Business Home Page