Enkore Kids Blog - About Kids and Their Stuff

Educational Toy Ideas for the Holidays

2011-11-07T22:18:00.001-05:00

As the Holidays approach, the most often asked question we get is: what toy is best to get for my child, grandchild, etc.

We all want what's best for our children and what's better than providing them with toys that not only entertain, but teach as well? And that's what makes the Classic Toys, “classic” - they are time tested and outlast all the fad electronic “learning” toys for kids that often end up at the bottom of the toybox or the back of the closet soon after the Holidays.

So what makes the classic toys “educational”? In truth, most any toy for young children have educational value (so long as it's safe and age appropriate), but we'll be touching on two categories of educational toys: Manipulatives and Pretend Play.

Manipulatives: Rattles, Shape Sorters, Blocks, & Puzzles

What's more a more basic toy than baby's first rattle? Rattles & other noise-maker infant toys provide baby's first experience in cause and effect: they move the toy and it rewards them with a noise. It's also builds dexterity as they learn to grasp it and pass it from hand to hand.

Shape Sorters, Blocks, and Stacking Toys are great for older infants starting at about 18 months. Shape sorters work on identifying shape and manual dexterity to get them to fit the rights slot. Blocks can introduce pictures and the alphabet and teach cause & effect (build it & knock it down). Stacking toys introduce order.

The most popular manipulatives are puzzles. There are puzzles that are age appropriate from 12 months to 12 years and up. It doesn’t really matter how many pieces or what the picture, puzzles can teach many skills kids need to succeed.

First, and most obviously, puzzles teach subject matter. A child can learn something about the pictures that he is creating. Extensive vocabulary can help a child read at higher levels, especially in the middle school years and beyond.

Puzzles teach other language skills as well. When a parent and child do a puzzle together, the parent may help the child by suggesting: “turn it around” or “put it next to…” These are great directional words.

Children can also learn adjectives such as straight, curvy, round, red, blue, etc. Another language skill is categorizing. This means sorting objects or ideas in to groups that have a common theme.

Try this idea with familiar peg puzzles: Take 2 or more puzzles with different topics and scramble the pieces. Have the child sort the puzzle pieces into piles. You can provide (or ask the child to provide) a heading for each pile. This is a foundation skill for organizing facts for paragraph writing and constructing essays.

Puzzles also help children develop visual skills needed for reading. Simple infant and toddler puzzles can teach a child visual matching skills that can be transferred to reading tasks. Simple puzzles teach children to match one picture to its mate. Sometimes the pictures can be identical and other times the child must match a picture to its outline. Jigsaw puzzles also require visual closure skills. Children need to use clues from the surrounding pieces to choose the piece that fits. This teaches our brains to “size up” the whole picture- important for being able to "fill in the blanks" for reading difficult text and for life.

Finally, puzzles can teach good study skills. They require the child to get organized before starting a task, such as turning pieces picture-side up or sorting out straight edges. Children learn to develop a strategy: should I start by completing a focus object and working my way to others or should I do the edges first?

Puzzles teach perseverance, as a child has to try piece after piece in a particular spot, possibly many different ways. If the missing piece is not found, the child needs to decide to try another area. Lastly, puzzles teach older children how to manage long-term projects. Working on a puzzle a little bit each night can lead to a great accomplishment.

When selecting puzzles for young children, consider many things. Puzzles with pictures that interest the child are motivating. Also consider if the child has the visual skills and dexterity to complete the puzzle. Or maybe this puzzle will be one that he does with his family. There are many different kinds of puzzles so every age can be challenged and successful.

Pretend Play:

Make-believe play is more than just fun, it helps kids:

-Explore imagination

-Think in the abstract

-Acquire language skills

-Build social skills

-Problem solve

-Understand someone else’s perspective

-Learn essential life skills from adults

-Discover leadership skills

-Safely explore the world beyond

-Acquire confidence and a sense of self

The more open-ended the toy, the better. For example, a Dora Doll will likely be used only in associate with Dora story-lines. Which is fine, but a generic doll can be used for a lot more and requires more thought from the child to come up with stories.

There are several types of pretend play, and all should be encouraged:

Imitating mom & dad: taking care of the kids, shopping, going to work, playing with make-up, etc, help them learn the roles they will fill later in life. Provide your child with props that will let them pretend to be you: baby doll, shopping cart, kitchen, purse/wallet and the like.

Playing dress-up: Get the most out of your Halloween costumes and choose dress-ups that your child can play with all year. Grown-up clothes are also great dress-ups- just be sure they know what's available to them and what's not.

Acting out real-life stories & make-believe stories: School, doctor, bank, and favorite stories from books, tv, & movies encourage cooperative play with others, taking turns, and vocabulary.

Creating make-believe spaces such as sofa forts & box houses may encourage the budding architect in your little one and performing for an audience by singing, acting in skits, and directing puppet theater will build your child's imagination and confidence.

At Enkore Kids, we have plenty of toys to choose from in both categories discussed here: Manipulatives & Pretend Play. Ask to see our Melissa & Doug catalog or checkout our selection in the store and on-line at www.enkorekids.com today.

How to Shop Resale & Save Big!

2011-09-30T13:52:00.001-04:00

Raising kids is expensive. The Consumer Expenditure Survey by the U.S. Department of Labor figures that households with incomes above $39k/year will spend between $170k and $250k to raise a child from birth to age 18. Of that, $1320-$1720 is for clothing in the first 8 years. Another $3000-$5000 will be spent in those same years for "miscellaneous" expenses that includes toys, equipment, etc. Housing, food, health, daycare, & education are not in that category.

This article is meant to help you cut your clothing and "miscellaneous" expenses in half or more for a potential savings of $2160-$3355 over 8 years.

But money isn't the only thing we need more of when raising a family. Especially, for two-income families, or single parents, time is a very scarce commodity as well. Tips on saving money that cost you time, wouldn't be very helpful.

We'll show you several methods of cutting expenses, in order of time-savings (least to most). You decide which method(s) best suit you and your needs.

Gifts: Whether new or used, from family or friends, gifts obviously are the cheapest way to clothe and equip your child. Unfortunately, we don't have control over the generosity or timing of others. A couple tips, however, to maximize this method:

1. Register for what you need for your baby shower, and ask your shower's hostess to let guests know where you are registered. Also let them know, that second-hand gifts in good condition would be welcome. Your guests can afford to be much more generous and instead of getting the 10th set of "take-me home" clothes, you'll get something that is actually useful.

2. After your child arrives, there will be many more occasions for gifts: birthdays and Christmas. Before these holidays, be sure to let potential gift-givers (most notably the grandparents) know what your child most needs and that second-hand items in good condition are fine. After all, will your two-year old really care?

3. Be sure to send out the "thank-yous". As soon as your child can hold a crayon, include their scribble on the note. It'll be something Grandma will cherish for years.

Yard Sales: These can yield feast or famine, but some prior planning can help you make the most of yard sale season.

1. Always have your best tools with you before you leave: the newspaper and your map. Read the paper the night before and map out your route. If any yard sales have phone numbers, call them. You can be sure the best items will be gone before the sale even starts.

2. Go to the most promising sale first. If you go there second, what you wanted will be gone.

3. Don't be afraid to negotiate, nothing ventured, nothing gained.

4. Look at rain as being a friend. Unless the ad specified a rain date, chances are it'll still be held. After all they paid for the ad and you're more likely to have less competition and get a better price.

Ebay: There are whole books (and courses) written for Ebay, but here are a few tips:

1. Always know the retail value of what you're bidding on. And know the condition of the item. Don't be afraid to ask questions and request additional pictures.

2. Know exactly what the shipping & handling & insurance costs will be. Understand the seller's return policy and if S&H is covered, most do not.

3. Only bid if the seller has an established (and good) reputation.

4. Search for items with common typos or misspellings. Most people search by keyword rather than by category so the $200 "brest pump" starting at $10 may go unnoticed unless you search harder.

5. Check out “Buy It Now” items, you won't have to wait for the auction to end before you know if you get it.

Second-Hand Stores: There are several types: thrift, which are run by non-profits and receive their items by donations; consignment, for-profit and receive items from consignors with whom they split the sale after the fact; and resale, also for-profit and buy their items outright from the previous owner. To get the most out of second-hand, keep the following in mind:

1. Organization: It won't save you any time having everything in one place if you can't find it. However, even in the best organized shop, you should always check neighboring sizes for misplaced treasures. Also, different manufacturers may size differently.

2. Lighting: That great deal on the Osh Kosh overalls won't seem so great if you could see the yellow stain dim lighting might hide.

3. Return Policies: If there isn't a place for you to have your child try on the clothes, think twice if there is any possibility it might be too small unless you can return it.

4. Wish List: Second-hand stores are constantly changing. If you don't see what you need today, it may be in tomorrow and sold the next day before you visit again next week. Ask if the shop maintains a wish list, so they can notify you if your item come in.

5. E-Mail/Direct Mail List: Many second-hand stores also keep customers informed of sales and inventory by e-mail, direct mail, or on their website. Make use of them to save you time and money.

6. Play Area: Is there something to keep your child occupied while you shop? A bored child will make it hard to find bargains.

7. Lay Away: In these tough times, it's helpful to avoid the credit card whenever possible - ask about Lay Away policies for larger purchases and plan ahead for the holidays.

Final Thoughts: The different methods of shopping second hand were, as I said, in order of time savings, least to most. Not in order of money saved. I've seen yard sale prices and Ebay auctions higher than items in second-hand stores and vice-versa.

The best way to ensure you save money is to be familiar with the prevailing retail price. You should never pay more than 50% of the retail value for something second hand, including S&H (if using Ebay). And be open to what you may need in the coming year, not just the current season as great deals don't always come around when you need them.

Shopping Second-Hand for the Holidays...

2010-11-07T09:09:00.001-05:00

Benefits of Buying Second-Hand:

1. Economic – Generally at least a 50% savings over new for you and 100% of your purchase price stays to support the local economy and not sent to China or a corporate out-of-state headquarters.

2. Environmental – No packing material to add to the landfill and continued demand for re-used items means they don't end up in the landfill either.

3. Charity – Even if you can afford to buy everything new, what's left over in the budget for supporting your local church or charity?

Every gift-giving occasion, as parents, we've all remarked on it: the kids enjoy playing with the box more than the gift! But yet, we all want the world for our children, especially around the holidays. How do we do that while still maintaining the family budget?

Answer: Shop Second-hand!

As our country's economy continues it's malaise and with the increasing emphasis on protecting our environment through the motto "Reduce, Reuse, Recycle", shopping second-hand has lost its negative stigma.

Just how cool it is to get great deals is evidenced by the success of "Plato's Closet." Ranked 102 by Entrepreneur Magazine in 2010 on their 500 Fastest Growing Franchise list, Plato's Closet caters to teens and 20-somethings with the latest, though gently-used trends in fashion. If teens will buy second-hand, it must be cool! (BTW, a Plato's Closet is now in Frederick!)

Other great places to shop include thrift shops like Goodwill and Salvation Army or consignment and resale shops that specialize in bringing you the best nearly-new stuff around. Look in the phone book or the internet under the headings "thrift", "consignment" or "resale" to see everything that's available locally.

So if many folks buy used for themselves and their children at other times of the year, what's the big deal for the holidays?

Answer: We don't want to be seen as cheapskates.

With the kids, generally more is better. Toddlers will never know the difference between new and used. So what's the point in spending $50 on one toy when you can get five for the same price? School age kids will be more aware, but you can start showing them the value of the dollar by comparing how many more chores they'd have to do to earn some of the new things they want versus second-hand.

When shopping for other folks' kids, most people welcome the thoughtfulness of a truly unique gift. Anyone can buy the latest fad toy at Walmart. The time is spent in line, not in the search. But finding an original Star Wars Millennium Falcon or a vintage Fisher Price Castle – that's a gift they'll remember!

Approach the people who usually buy gifts for your family and let them know you want to help them stretch their budget and would appreciate unique and thoughtful second-hand gifts.

Not only will the kids have fun with the greater abundance of gifts to open, but you'll enjoy the search and you won't fear the credit card bill that follows.

Choosing a Diapering System:

2010-06-16T08:35:00.000-04:00

What kind of diapers to use is not just a choice among Huggies, Pampers, and Luvs. The new generation of Cloth Diapers adds a whole new dimension to your diapering decision. There are three main reasons today's parents are choosing cloth over disposables:

1. Increased Savings.

2. Better Health.

3. Reduced Environmental Impact.

Increased Savings:

As any new parent can tell you a baby uses A LOT of diapers especially in the first few months. The cost of diapering a child in disposables for the first six months of life is approximately $270. That may not seem too bad until you realize that you will be diapering your child until they are at around 3, which will cost approx $2675, or if until age 4, then $ 3540. Now that is A LOT of money.

To cloth diaper a newborn with infant prefolds and covers for 3 months is approximately $117, diapering for 3 years with prefolds and covers costs $330, and for 4 years it’s only $390. Other types of cloth diapers, such as "All in Ones" or the "Pocket Diapers" will cost more money than prefolds and covers, but they still save money over disposables and add convenience over the prefolds.

Better Health:

Many children suffer from diaper rashes and allergic reactions to the gels used in disposable diapers that make them absorbent. Some diapers are so absorbent they can cause babies’ skin to dry out leaving it sore and tender. The plastic covers don’t breathe, creating an environment where bacteria can thrive, and the leg casings can chafe and cause irritation. Cloth diapers are made from many different materials, and in many different shapes and styles, so it is easy to find ones that won’t irritate babies’ skin.

Reduced Environmental Impact:

Reusing cloth diapers that can be made from materials that are naturally or organically grown such as cotton, hemp, or bamboo keeps millions of pounds of paper waste and chemicals out of the landfills and waterways. While you'll use water, detergent and energy to wash them, most agree that this has less impact than the manufacturing and disposal pollutants of disposable diapers.

Making Sense of Cloth Diapers:

There are many cloth diapers on the market today. While there are many brands of diapers out there they all are one of the following types:

1. Flat or Prefold Diapers.

2. Fitted Diapers

3. Pocket Diapers

4. All-In-One Diapers.

Flat or Prefold Diapers:

This type is simply a rectangle of cotton or hemp material that can be folded to fit most any baby. Prefold diapers are thicker in the middle while flat diapers are one layer of material throughout. These are the cheapest diapers to use and they wash and dry easily. They come in different sizes from preemie to toddler and are used with diaper covers or pants. Some people use pins or snappies (a small plastic gripper) to hold the diaper on the baby, while some people find a snug cover to be enough. Many people find these are easy to use and good for at home and when baby is little and needs frequent changes. You can also keep a supply of prefold or flat diapers to use as doublers or stuffers for other styles of diapers to customize the absorbency levels.

The following diapers come in a range of sizes from preemie to toddler, or you can purchase what are called one-size diapers that have different snap settings and a roll down waistband to fit babies from 8-35 lbs. All of these diapers also have a choice of snaps or velcro type fasteners.

Fitted Diapers:

These are like prefold diapers in that you need a cover to make a waterproof system but they are cut to fit a baby’s shape better without the bunching that can occur with rectangular diapers. These can be made from different fabrics and are easy to wash & dry.

Pocket Diapers:

These are our most popular style. They have a waterproof outer layer with usually a fleece inner layer and an opening at the back of the diaper to create a "pocket" between the layers. This allows the parent to add absorbent inserts to customize the absorbency level depending on the age and size of the child. The outer pocket and inserts come apart for easy washing and quick drying. Many people like these for naptime or overnight use and they can be convenient for daycare or a short trip.

All-In-One Diapers:

Known as "AIO" on the message boards, these diapers are the closest to disposables in terms of convenience and ease of use for most people. These diapers have a waterproof outer cover and an inner layer of absorbent materials. These diapers are ready to go with no stuffing or folding. Some people find them not quite as absorbent as they would like, but you can lay a prefold diaper or insert into the all- in-one to add absorbency if you like. Many people like these for daycare, the sitter, or traveling as there is no prep work — you put it on and go. They do take a little longer to wash and dry since they are thicker, though some styles have liners that can separate to speed up the process.

Most people find that a combination of several of the above types of diapers works well. Prefolds and covers for around the house, pocket diapers for naps and nighttime , and all-in-ones for daycare or trips. Enkore Kids carries a wide assortment and offers discounts on larger purchases. This will allow you to design the cloth diapering system that works well for you without a huge upfront investment.

Cleaning Up the Mess:

Washing diapers is something that many people seem to fear until they learn just how simple it can be.

After dumping any solids that you can into the toilet, place the diaper in a ventilated pail or bag until wash day. Keeping diapers in a closed container creates odors and can breed bacteria and yeast.

When ready to wash, put diapers into the machine and run a small cold rinse or prewash cycle with no soap. After the rinse cycle, gather the rest of baby's laundry, add your detergent and run a normal wash & rinse cycle. Most diapers can be washed in warm or hot water and also machine dried. Some covers need to be line dried so check the labels. If you notice staining, line drying them in the sun wll naturally bleach out stains.

There is no need to buy fancy detergents. The more basic, the better. Avoid: Enzymes, Softeners, Fragrances, Bleach, Optical Brightners, and Soap. All of those can leave a residue that can harm baby's skin and make the diapers less absorbent. Also, use 1/4 to 1/2 the recommended amount to prevent buildup.

A note for high efficiency washers - adding a couple towels to the load helps to get enough water in the load to get everything clean.

Maybe not quite as easy as throwing the mess all away, but to save money, reduce allergic reactions, and produce less environmental waste, we hope you'll give cloth diapering a try. Plus, many cloth diapering systems have a great resale value!

By Susan McCarthy & Jennifer Guenther

Co-Owners, Enkore Kids, LLC

Cleaning Kid Krud

2010-05-13T08:31:00.002-04:00

We all know kids are messy but that doesn’t mean your house needs to be or that their clothes and toys all need to be stained forever. With a minimal amount of time and a few basic tools you can keep your kids’ stuff looking great for passing down to friends and family or getting the most money back through resale.

Keeping Home Clean:
Kids have a lot of stuff but you can minimize clutter and chaos by sorting through them on a regular basis. Medium sized bins labeled with pictures of the toys and clothes that belong in them let even the littlest ones help clean up at the end of the day. Once a month, set aside a few minutes while the kids are napping or playing happily somewhere to weed out broken toys and separate the others into a keep and “to pass on” pile. Do the same with clothes every couple of months. Box up the outgrown stuff and pitch the stuff that’s too stained or worn. After sorting, call your favorite kid’s consignment or resale store to make an appointment to resell. They may not accept everything, so plan on taking a trip to Goodwill or the Salvation Army to donate what is left over.

Keeping Clothes Clean:
Kids are rough on clothes, that’s for sure but you don’t need a whole laundry mats worth of stuff to keep them clean. Most kids stains are organic in nature- grass, blood, food, etc. Pre-treating stains as you undress your kids for bath time can save many an outfit from ruin. Dish soap works well on all food stains especially the greasy ones. Baby shampoo is great for ring around the collar or sweaty armpit stains that your teen brings home from sports practice and a good detergent with enzymes such as ERA or TIDE works wonders on grass, blood, and dirt. Soak clothes in a full washer of cold water overnight then run your wash cycle as normal. Line drying also cuts down on the number of baked in stains.

Keeping Toys and Equipment Clean:
These take a beating from daily use but even just a simple wipe down with a baby wipe (one of my favorite household cleaning tools) each time you take baby out of the highchair or exersaucer can prevent icky stuff from getting dried into cracks and crevices. Magic eraser is also a useful tool for removing crayons and markers without chemicals. They can pose a chocking hazard, so keep out of reach of small children. A damp micro-fiber cloth may also remove most marks more economically. Most non-electronic kid stuff is durable enough to take out in the yard and hose off after a quick spray with some diluted dish soap. If the weather is bad, try your shower. Check bigger items that take batteries once a month or so to prevent corrosion or leaks. And as soon as your child outgrows it remember to wipe it down remove batteries for storage until you can get into your favorite resale shop to resell it. A moment or two it takes to wipe off messes now will mean a higher resale value later.

By Susan McCarthy, mother of two (ages 7 and 5) and co-owner of Enkore Kids.

How to Hold a Yardsale

2010-03-21T21:10:00.005-04:00

1. Decide on a date: A deadline will motivate you.
2. Cut through the clutter: Sort to keep, trash or sell.
3. Price to sell: Avoid bringing back inside later.
4. Advertise: Use newspaper, Craigslist, and online community calendars.
5. Signage: Be consistent and be bold!

1. Deciding on the right date is crucial for a good yard sale turnout. After the long, hard winter, folks will be anxiously awaiting a good yard sale. If you live in a community that has an annual or semi-annual yard sale, it’s easiest to wait until it is held. That way, most of your promotion work and signage to the community will be taken care of for you. However, if your neighborhood doesn’t hold a mass sale or you don’t want to wait, schedule as early in the season as possible. By holding ours the first weekend of March last year, many folks found us simply because there wasn’t much competition. The 45 degrees temperature that day didn’t seem to matter, but rain will definitely put a damper on things. Plan a rain date and include it in your ads.

2. Going through your things is more fun — and productive — with a friend or spouse not emotionally attached to the items up for consideration. What you use often, or means too much to you to part with, put in the “keep” category. If broken, stained or recalled, you should “trash” or recycle. Shred any unneeded sensitive paperwork. Outgrown or otherwise no longer needed items which are still useful, go in the “sell” category. Deciding whether to sell on eBay, consign or yard sale, depends on the next step — pricing.

3. Yard salers are looking for deals. Unless you are willing to let everything go for a dollar or less, you will need to spend some time researching current retail or secondary market values for your treasures. This allows you to price them to your advantage, while still offering too-good-to-pass-up values for your visitors. For items still being sold at retail stores, use a price comparison website like shopping.com or a big online retailer like Walmart.com. You should price items that are in excellent condition at no more than a quarter to a third of new value. Even if you are offering a never-opened item, you can’t offer a return policy or a warranty, so do not expect to get anywhere near retail prices.

For vintage or other discontinued items, compare to completed auctions on eBay.com. Identify items that deserve some special attention. What routinely sells on eBay for more than half of what it was new, consider trying to sell there. Or, you can consign with a shop that specializes in those particular items. If you want to try to sell these items at your yard sale first, remember selling through eBay or a consignment shop will have additional costs. Be willing to negotiate lower than what your research showed, and you will still come out ahead.

4. Promote your yard sale effectively using your area’s "goto" classified section as well as free online classifieds. The newspaper is costly, so be brief, but hit all the key information including: address (w/ cross street or community name), date (and rain date), a few applicable keywords (tools, antiques, toys are always popular) and contact info (phone number, email or, even better, a website). Post a list of your best items, including pictures, using Craigslist.com and other websites.

5. Poor signage can sabotage the hard work you have invested, so allot enough time to do it right. Make your signs using a bold, black magic marker and thick poster board or cardboard. All signs should look similar, so people following them will know they are on the right trail. The signs are NOT for details. A simple “Yard Sale MM/DD” and an arrow pointing the way is all most drivers will be able to read in passing. Put them out up to five days before your event. If it rains, check to make sure the signs are still legible the day before. Be sure to collect them right after the sale is over.

On the day of your big event, be sure to have enough change and some recycled plastic bags to hold purchases. Be willing to negotiate. Too low an offer first thing in the morning? Ask for a phone number in case you don’t get closer to your asking price by the end of the sale. Remember, you want to sell the stuff, not bring it back into the house.

What to do with the inevitable leftovers? Donate — some charities will even pickup! For the more valuable items only, set up an appointment with your favorite consignment shop.

This article written by Jennifer Guenther, co-owner of Enkore Kids, was originally printed in Child Guide. She and co-owner Susan McCarthy will be contributing an article to Child Guide each issue, so be sure to pickup your copy either at Enkore Kids or your local school. Additional locations are available at http://www.childguidemagazine.com/.

What Makes Enkore Kids Different

2009-08-21T21:38:00.003-04:00

When most people think of resale, they think "consignment".

Consignment is when the an owner of an item enlists the services of a store to sell it for them, based on a commission. In the Frederick/Hagerstown area for children's items that commission rate is usually 40% to the owner and 60% to the store. Some stores offer 50/50 if you're willing to do some work, too, such as putting the clothing on hangers or if agree to use the proceeds in the store as store credit. They also generally add a "buyer's fee" to their prices that goes to the store off the top, before the commission is split. This is to offset the cost of prepping the clothes and can be anywhere from $.25 to $1.00 per item.

Additionally, some consignment stores charge an annual fee for the privilege of consigning with them. For those that charge them in this area, it can range from $5-$20 annually and is usually deducted from your proceeds. The store has sole discretion in pricing your items and if you opt to drop off your items for them to look at (rather than wait while they sort them), you may find that many of your items were donated rather than sold because they didn't meet the store's standards.

Most traditional consignment stores in the area pay out 3-4 times a year, though some will pay on demand after your account has accumulated a minimum amount. Some will mail you a check for an additional handling fee. Also, if your items are lost, stolen, or damaged (or tags pulled off and the store is unable to match the tag with the item), the typical consignment store is not responsible.

Their insurance simply won't allow them to be: In a consignment situation, the consignor that brought in the items is still the owner and any loss incurred would be claimed through the consignor's home owner's insurance rather than the store's business insurance. Of course most of us have deductibles too high to bother with an insurance claim for a few Gymboree outfits.

Many area consignment stores have their consignment agreements available for viewing on-line, just do a Google search for them.

So while you can see consignment is a great way to recycle your children's unneeded items, there are a lot of unknowns for you, the consignor. It certainly is a way to get a little something out of your investment to put towards the next things your children need, but is there a better way?

Enter Enkore Kids:

We're not your traditional "consignment" store: We buy your items directly from you at the time of your appointment in either cash or twice the amount in store credit! The benefits are:

You know exactly what you're getting and can make an informed decision as to whether you wish to sell your items to us or not. (No hard feelings if you pass on our offer, really, it's ok!)
As we look through your items while you wait, you're also able to collect back any items we're not able to accept. And you get your bins or boxes back!
You have money or store credit available to you immediately to buy things your kids need now, not 4 months from now.

Generally, we pay about 50% of what we think an equipment or larger toy item will resell for in store credit. We use the internet to determine an item's worth for things we aren't already familiar with. For clothing, books, and smaller toys, we need to be a bit more conservative. In clothing, only a certain percentage will sell at our original asking price and end of season clearance sales come all too soon. Books and smaller toys also have regular sales to clear out older stock. We promise to offer you a fair offer based on market demands.

Another great thing about selling to Enkore Kids is that you know your child's no-longer-needed items will be passed on for another family to use and enjoy and not end up in a landfill.

Ever stop by Goodwill? They have a HUGE dumpster right next to their donation receiving dock. Why? To trash the items they can't accept. Many Goodwill stores no longer sell toys because of the added hassle of having to check for recalls, so perfectly good toys get chucked along with the few hazardous ones.

So, checkout what our current needs are here.

Additional information in a handy printable pdf is available here.

Then call us at 301-668-0837 to make an appointment. You can compare your availability to yours by viewing our calendar!

Please let your friends know about us and become a FAN of Enkore Kids on Facebook to find out the latest news.

Jennifer Guenther
CEO/Mommy
http://www.enkorekids.com/

Shopping On-Line for the Best Deals

2009-05-28T17:40:00.004-04:00

Of course I'm biased to our own site at http://www.enkorestuff.com/, but I know we can't possibly have everything everyone needs, not even in our choosen niche for babies and children.

So where can you go for finding some quick cost comparisons and to find out what the product is about? At the store we depend on a few sites to help us with putting fair prices on our new-to-you merchandise. We've been partial to Google's Shopping site as our own products are listed there, but I recently stumbled upon Shopwiki.com and thought I'd share a little bit about it, plus I've already started the process to get Enkore Kids' products to show up on their site and so you should be finding out stuff there shortly.

The cool thing about Shopwiki.com is that, just as easy as it was to get Enkore Kids added, all store can be added to their database. Not only can stores contact them to be added at no charge, but their database actively seeks out stores on the internet to include. So the information it gives you will be more comprehensive.

Some catagories we hope to find our items in soon (I was told to expect it to take a couple weeks for our site to be added):

So check them out - it's a great resource to find fair prices and we'll be using it to help us determine our pricing.

Webkinz ExtravaGanza 2009

2009-04-29T13:19:00.002-04:00

Enkore Kids is participating in the Annual Webkinz Extravaganza Weekend May 1 & 2!

While supplies last, Enkore Kids will be selling select Lil Kinz and Webkinz for just $1 with every $15 purchase made on May 1st & 2nd in-store and on May 1-3rd on-line!

In-Store Events:

Both May 1 & 2nd from 10-6pm:

Coloring Contest: Entries accepted now through 5/2. Come back 5/4-5/9 to vote. Winners by age group announced 5/11 receive a FREE Lil Kinz (choice of selection). Click the links below to download or come to the store to get a form already printed.

Goober, Birdy, Booger, Cat
Dr. Quack, Monkey, Pig, Poncho

Jelly Bean Guess: Winner announced May 4.
Wheel of Wow: Spin for chance at instant prizes or future coupons.
Gem Hunt: Search the store for color-coded gems and win a prize!

Special Events May 2 (Saturday):

12pm - 3pm: To Be Announced.
1pm - 3pm: Cecil the Cycling Clown.
Check Back Soon!

Quick Links to our Popular Webkinz Products:

		All Webkinz: $12.99 All Lil Kinz: $8.99 40% off: Body Spritz, Lip Gloss, Figurines, & Mousepads!

Mom's Clothing Swap

2009-04-03T17:33:00.003-04:00

Enkore Kids offers you great savings on all the things your kids need for newborn to age 14 and we also offer Maternity wear, too!

Now, we're offering Mom's an economical way to refresh their own wardrobes as well with a Moms Only Clothing Swap!

We asking a small registration fee of $10 ($15 with a friend), but you'll certainly be getting your money's worth.

With each registration, you'll receive:

$20 worth of coupons redeemable at Enkore Kids
Refreshments sponsored by Pampered Chef
An opportunity to checkout offers from Local Businesses & Home Party Reps (email me if you'd like to participate as a vendor, or click here to register on-line!)
Ability to trade out your rarely or never worn items for clothing that's more in your style
A fun afternoon out with friends and the ability to meet new friends!

How It Works:

Register & bring in your rarely worn current styled Women's clothing/shoes to swap by Friday 4/24. (We want to have everything organized for the big event, so the sooner you can bring your items in, the better!)
Come back at Swap Time (Sunday, 4/26 from 3-6pm) to select what you want- FREE!
First hour is limited to the number of items you brought in (ie: if you bring in 10, you get to choose 10 items). First come, first served.
Unclaimed items are free for all after the first hour.

We want this to be a huge, fun event for area moms. Help us spread the word by printing out our flyer and sharing this blog with your friends. If it's the success we're hoping for, we hope to hold these swaps twice a year!

After all mom's sacrifice for their kids (their clothes, their toys, their extracurricular activities, etc...) an afternoon out is the least we all deserve!

Hope to see you there!

To register on-line: click here.

To register by phone, call us at 301-668-0837 or 240-329-2121 during business hours.

-Jennifer Guenther
CEO/Mommy
http://www.enkorekids.com/
http://www.enkorestuff.com/

Spring has Sprung at Enkore Kids!

2009-03-01T21:09:00.003-05:00

Our Basket Sale is over, and the racks are now full of Spring clothing! Unfortunately, we've had to eliminate the pretty rhinestones (too much of a risk of Lead). Since we can't legally donate, sell, or export them, we've been forced to put our existing inventory on our own children. (Waste not, want not, right?) After, of course, a thorough education on the dangers of eating her clothes, my daughter was thrilled with the increase in her wardrobe. I didn't have the heart to tell her, there'd be no more sparklies for her in the future.

Read my prior posts about the CPSIA and what you can do to help amend this over-reaching law. And please google "CPSIA" for the latest news. There are others much more knowledgeable and eloquent on the issue than I, so I will defer to them as I get back to focusing on the future of Enkore Kids.

Current Sales & Specials:

Come in now for Double Reward Stamps on your Frequent Buyer Card! Now through March 14, for every $25 you spend at one time (before taxes and after coupons/sales are applied), you'll get TWO stamps instead of one, earning you a $50 store credit up to TWICE as fast!

We've extended our Webkinz sale: Buy 2 or more of any Webkinz, Lil Kinz, or Accessories and any other GANZ branded items and save 40%! Now extended through March 14.

We're rolling back our Melissa & Doug toy prices! All plush, puppets, puzzles, crafts, & more are now 20% off the tagged price through the end of March.

Turn Key Birthday Bashes:

We're working on making Enkore Kids a one-stop place to plan your child's next birthday. You'll be able to choose from four themes:

Melissa & Doug Crafts Party (craft of your choice -from a selection-for each child to complete as a take-home gift)
Webkinz Extravaganza Party (a lil kinz for each child to take home and Webkinz-themed games to play for extra small prizes)
Princess Party (little girls will make a tiara and play princess games)
Pirate Party (little boys will shiver the timbers with fun)

For just the theme decorations, activities, and take-home gift or craft, the cost will be $10 per child, minimum of 6 children, with two hours alloted in our upstairs party room. We'd also provide invitations for you to mail and maintain a "wish list" for your child - where your guests can puchase what your child wants from Enkore Kids at a discount! You would be responsible for food and drink.

We can make arrangements for cupcakes, pizza, drinks, and helium-filled balloons, too, for an additional charge. I'd love to hear your thoughts on this, so please comment to this post.

-Jennifer Guenther
CEO/Mommy
http://www.enkorekids.com/
http://www.enkorestuff.com/

Where is the Guidebook?

2009-02-12T00:03:00.003-05:00

Ok, it's now NB-Day, plus 2. (NB standing for "National Bankruptcy".) And thus far, only a 16 page brief has been published by the CPSC to help the millions of businesses affected by the CPSIA to figure out how to navigate it.

Here is an excerpt of materials exempt from the new law:

Dyed or undyed textiles (cotton, wool, hemp, nylon, etc.), including children’s fabric products, such as baby blankets, and non‐metallic thread and trim. This does not include products that have rhinestones or other ornaments that may contain lead or that have fasteners with possible lead content (such as buttons, metal snaps, zippers or grommets).

So basically, a plain t-shirt or sweater or sweatpants are ok. Once you add a button, zipper, or grommet - maybe not ok.

I was fully intent on clearing my shelves of all known "banned hazardous substance" on Tuesday morning. I expected that my government would have their (phthalate free) ducks in a row and be able to tell me what (specifically) was bad and I would dutifully remove them from the store, contact the manufacturer for a full refund (as these banned substances would of course be recalled and so the manufacturer would be responsible to compensate me) and move on with life.

Unfortunately, there is no such master list. In fact, the CPSC has requested we tell them the results of the tests we pay for!

So while we have removed many items with the shiney bling (rhinestones are apparently notorious for having lead - it's what makes them shiney), we just can't toss out 99% of our clothing that has buttons, zippers, or grommets because there is a small chance that it may have lead. We also can't test (the lead tests in the store aren't accurate enough and the XRF gun costs about $1500 to rent or $35,000 to buy). To ask the manufacturer would be pointless as we wouldn't be able to provide batches or dates of manufacture assuming they kept such detailed records when it wasn't required of them in the first place.

So, while we have been assured by all the manufacturers of our new items, that they are in compliance, I haven't got a clue about our used items. I just can't believe it makes any sense to toss it all out as hazardous.

How is a zipper (leaded or unleaded) on my 8 year old daughter any more dangerous than having her run around naked in the cold because I can't afford new tested and certified clothing for her? Is she going to die of lead poisoning from the possible lead in her bike tire's valve stem? Are phthalates in her American Girl Doll (if they are present - I really have no idea) going to stunt her growth?

While there have been some studies with phthalates that indicate a cause for concern (see post below), there are many others that show no problem. Even the law itself says the ban is only permanent on 3 types of phthalates, for 3 other types the law calls for more testing to determine if the ban will be permanent.

I'm still hopeful that Senator Demint (now joined by my own Congressman Bartlett) will be able to fix this poor legislation quickly. If the CPSC or some antsy Attorney General decides to enforce the CPSIA before the fix, National Bankruptcy Day won't just be a rallying cry, it'll be reality.

Call your Congressmen (202-225-3121) and Senators (202-224-3121) today and tell them to support HR-968 (House version) S-347 (Senate version).

By the way, you'll be happy to know that Congress did act to delay the implementation of the Digital TV transition from February 17 till June 12. Apparently 4 years notice and $1.5 billion dollars wasn't enough. Yeah, it's estimated that law affects about 2% of Americans that are still unprepared for Digital TV. The CPSIA affects everyone with children 12 and younger. I'm not sure of the percentage, but I'm thinking it's more than 2%.

Jennifer Guenther
Enkore Kids
http://www.enkorekids.com/
http://www.enkorestuff.com/

What's Next? Phthalates!

2009-02-08T20:31:00.004-05:00

What with all our concerns being on the retroactive nature of the CPSIA with regards to lead, we haven't even paid attention to phthalates. According to the CPSC, the CPSIA wasn't going to apply retroactively, meaning that items already produced prior to 2/10/09 would still be legal to sell. Well, a court decided on Friday, 2/6/09 that the CPSIA phthalate ban IS retroactive!

So, we'll be busy on Monday trying to figure out just what we can and cannot sell.

Well, what the heck is a phthalate, and why should we care?

A phthalate is a substance used in plastics, vinyl, and personal care products for the last 50 years or so. There is debate on what effects it has on most humans, but in rodents, it appears to affect male development by messing with their testosterone. From what I've found, it looks like there is little evidence for ill effects on most humans because it is broken down quickly in the body. However, there is disturbing evidence that phthalates DO affect the development in utero of boys and that the presence of phthalates in mother's milk continues to affect boy's testosterone levels.

So it appears the biggest problem of phthalates is when they are ingested directly from MOM! How does mom get the phthalates? Apparently, through their use in personal care products such as shampoo, soap, perfume, etc. So far as I could find, there has been no federal legislation banning phthalates from these adult products.

Many baby personal care products also contain phthalates, but these also don't appear to be banned by the CPSIA which deals with durable goods.

So from what I've read in the last 48 hours, phthalates are definitely questionable when ingested by a developing and newborn baby and we will be closing monitoring the CPSC website for further guidance to ensure we are in compliance. We urge the CPSC to issue official recalls for these items (as well as items with dangerous levels of lead) so we can turn them into the manufacturers for credit.

We'll also be urging Congress to go the next logical step: Ban phthalates from all products that could result in ingestion by a pregnant or nursing woman (or at least provide a warning that the product contains phthalates) and ban it in children's personal care products as well (if the CPSIA doesn't, in fact, already ban it).

More news will be coming soon!

Jennifer Guenther
Enkore Kids
www.enkorekids.com
www.enkorestuff.com

Call Senators to Tell Them to Support DeMint's CPSIA Reform

2009-02-01T20:47:00.003-05:00

Tom Jones Comment from Heather Flottman's Blog_

Heather's full post- http://ping.fm/gR8Lq

First an introduction. I'm Senator DeMint's staffer that handles the CPSC issues for him. A couple quick things.

If your readers could:

1) Call their Senator Monday and let them know that the problems with the CPSIA still exist. There are still liabilities issues out there, its not clear yet what retailers reaction to the order will be (its great to not have to test for a year but if no one will sell your goods that a bit of a hollow victory), PIRG is going to sue to overturn the order and the order doesn’t do anything to deal with State AGs. And of course all the problems come back full-bore in a year. Please try to impress these things on your Senator’s office.

2) When you are on the phone with the office make a very specific ask. Let them know you want the Senator to co-sponsor the DeMint bill. Have their staff contact me. (I work on the Commerce Committee and my email is in the “Global Email Directory.” (they’ll know what that is) I can also be called through the DeMint front office phone line which is 4-6121.) Also let the person on the phone that you’d like a written response on whether the Senator will co-sponsor issue. Finally say thanks for talking to you. The person who answers the phone has the lowest job on the Congressional totem pole and when the phones get hot it can be very stressful. Throwing a little sunlight their way helps.

The main line for Congress is 202-224-3121. Tell the operator which state you are from and ask to speak to one of your Senators. Once you’re done with that, hang up and do it again with the other Senator.

Thanks again for all your help with this. If it wasn’t for you guys being so engaged on this issue, it wouldn’t be moving like it is.

Tom

We ARE Making a Difference!

2009-01-31T11:25:00.002-05:00

Unless you’re a politician or a lobbyist, it’s not often that you get to feel you made a difference in the federal workings of government. I’m not talking about just voting (which we all should participate in). I’m talking about being a part of a movement to change a law or regulation for the better.

Well, if you called or wrote a congressman, the media, or encouraged a friend to do so to change the CPSIA, today you can take credit for making a difference!

See the press release the CPSC issued yesterday: http://ping.fm/p8kon

If you have some time on your hands, you can read the 19 page document from the CPSC here: http://ping.fm/gqMkR

CPSC Delay Not the Solution

In brief, the CPSC is delaying for one year some portions of the law regarding the mandated testing. However, just like when the CPSC issued the statement saying resale shops weren’t required to test existing inventory, all manufacturers are still required to follow the new lower limits.

So, this new delay, while an encouraging step in the right direction, is not the solution. And it wouldn’t have happened without all of us hitting the CPSC daily with calls an emails. Keep it up!

Upcoming Legislative Fix

Senator DeMint of South Carolina is one brave soul that is standing up for sanity: he plans to introduce a bill the first week of February to fix the fundamental problems of the CPSC. See his blog here:
http://ping.fm/UDygP

In short, the major changes he’ll be asking for are:
1. Delay the regulations six months.
2. Allow small manufacturers to use the testing and certification that their component suppliers have done to certify that the components do not contain an impermissible amount of lead.
3. Exempt thrift stores, yard sales, consignments shops and other re-sellers from the prohibitions in the act.
4. Prevent retro-active enforcement of the act.
5. Provide a Good-Faith Exemption.
6. Require the CPSC to provide small businesses with a compliance guide.
This morning, I’ve also heard the similar legislation will be introduced in the House by Congressman Alan Putnam of Florida, but I’ve not been able to track down the source of this good news to confim it.

In any case, though introducing legislation is a huge step for us, we cannot rest on our collective laurels. Unless and until it is passed, we haven’t accomplished our goal. So the bottom line is: keep up the pressure! Keep calling Congress, the media, and sharing this story with your friends to encourage them to do the same!

We are making a difference!

Jennifer Guenther
Enkore Kids
www.enkorekids.com
www.enkorestuff.com

Lead Hazards & Some Perspective

2009-01-27T15:08:00.005-05:00

As I mentioned in my last post, we will still be open on February 10. We are in the process of researching all our current stock, new and used, to ensure they are in compliance. While all textiles have proven to be lead free (see this video of the CPSC's meeting with the Apparel Industry), all adornments are can be suspect. The most common offenders are rhinestones and other "bling", but zippers, buttons, and snaps have also occassionally failed.

Without an XRF analyzer (an item that costs around $30-50,000), there is no way to test these items in products already on the market. At Enkore Kids, we will be monitoring the CPSC's website for information on recalls as well as the National Association of Resellers & Thriftshops for information on unofficial tests. We obviously cannot ban all clothing with buttons, zippers, and snaps, but we will be pro-active in eliminating the "bling" that has failed most often.

For the rest, it'll be good practice to have your children refrain from sucking on their zipper-pulls or other adornments on their clothing.

To gain some perspective, however, read this article from the FDA on lead. It states that the number one source of ingested lead continues to be paint from older homes and from solder in water pipes, also from older homes. According to one source, a child would have to eat all the paint off of 26 of the recalled Thomas the Trains to equal the amount of lead in a week's worth of ingested water that goes through lead-soldered pipes.

While their is no "safe" amount of lead, calcium in a child's diet can reduce the amount of lead actually absorbed. Lead can be inhaled and ingested, but it is not absorbed through the skin.

The Silver Lining

2009-01-21T10:56:00.007-05:00

Congress held a meeting on the CPSIA on Friday, 1/16 and the result is this post-meeting message they sent to the CPSC. I'm dissappointed that Congress didn't definitively act to correct all the confusion, but instead put the onus back on the CPSC to issue rulings and exceptions and training to ensure this law still goes into affect as planned on February 10.

Though 4 years isn't enough time to get people ready for the conversion to digital TV (see my 1/8 posting below), 6 months is apparently enough time to change a $20 billion dollar toy industry. I don't even know what the scope of clothing, books, and other child-related equipment is.

There is a silver lining, though, at least so far as the second-hand industry goes: everyone we have spoken with and have heard from in the news and on-line has said that this is not a law targeted at the resale market. So while we are still pushing for amendments to the actual law to make that clearer and while we are still urging action on common-sense exemptions for handcrafted items, Enkore Kids will continue carrying quality second-hand toys, clothing, and equipment.

See our previous postings for contact information and please continue to urge Congress and the CPSC to action. There are some in Congress that see the problem. Read this letter dated January 21st.

And here is a letter from Macy's to their vendors. It is dated January 15, 2009. If such a large company as Macy's was unaware of this law till now, how on earth is everyone else supposed to know what is going on? Please keep calling your Congressmen to have this law delayed till adequate refinements and guidance can be issued.

In the meantime, Enkore Kids will resume accepting children's items. We, as usual, will be checking the recall website, but we'll also be networking with other resale stores and manufacturers to share information on known or suspected used items that may exceed the new lower limits.

We have already been working with our vendors to ensure our existing inventory will meet the new standards and are confident that they do. However, though the law says items made before November 2008 don't need to be officially tested, items made after that date do require testing. This is not a problem for the national brands we carry as they have always tested their items. The problem is with the hand-made hair bows and barrets, the Baby Capes and the baby slings. These are made by micro-businesses, mostly work at home moms. To see the estimated additional cost for hand-made items for items under the CPSIA, check out Etsy.

Another problem with the law came to our attention, when co-owner Susan went to the dentist with her son: the pediatric lead vest that was used to protect him from unnessary x-ray exposure was certainly designed for children under 12 and it is not exempt from the CPSIA as it currently stands. So, Mom & Dad: would you prefer a lead vest placed on your child and risk lead ingestion or ban the vest and ensure unnecessary x-ray exposure?

New Guidelines for Used Children's Items:

As I said, we will be immediately resuming appointments to accept quality children's items. As there will be additional work for us in processing things to ensure they meet the new standards, please follow these guidelines:

Clothing:

Only name brand clothing. Items with size/manufacturer sewn in tags removed will not be accepted.
For sizes 12 and below: no clothing with appliques or other embellishments.
Please limit to 25 items per appointment while we get familiar with this more detailed processing.

Toys & Equipment:

Only name brand will be acceptable. This allows us the ability to use the manufacturer's website for research.
Increase what we can offer you by including the original box, instructions, and other information if available. (As it'll save us time in researching specific models.)

Kids' Sports & Dance Gear:

This is something we haven't actively looked for in the past, but have found customers asking for.
So if you have outgrown sports gear (skiiing, sports cleats, karate, soccer, football, baseball, etc) or dance gear (ballet, tap, jazz outfits & shoes) call us at 301-668-0837 for an immediate appointment.

Now Accepting Used Tools:

Yeah, I know, it doesn't seem like a fit with children's items, but we wanted to get Dad excited about coming to Enkore Kids, too. I know my husband is excited about the idea and we'll be listing some of our own tools shortly. Look around the house, surely you've got some tool purchased for a specific project that you'll never need again. Turn it into cash or store credit at Enkore Kids!

Initially, these will be listed exclusively on-line. Once we have enough of a selection to warrant space in the store, we'll put these non-kid friendly items in the garage area out of reach of children. Call for immediate appointments.

Name brand power and hand tools only.
Increase what you can earn by including the manual and all accessories.

We will continue to offer cash or twice the amount in store credit for most items. However, some more expensive items and the Kids Sports/Dance items may also allow you the option of consignement. Car Seats & Tools are accepted only on consignment.

Hope to hear from you soon! And keep up the pressure on Congress!

Jennifer Guenther
Enkore Kids
CEO/Mommy
http://www.enkorekids.com/
http://www.enkorestuff.com/

Keep the Phone Calls Going!

2009-01-15T09:30:00.002-05:00

Our cause to overhaul the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) has been getting more attention:

See the Channel 11 NBC (Baltimore) story here. Even better, see the uncut interview with Julie Vallese (the CPSC Public Relations Director that resigned, effective tomorrow). She ever so eloquently explains the simple steps we need to do to be in compliance. Yeah, right.

There is a Congressional meeting (closed door unfortunately) on Friday at 2pm about this law. Please, please, continue to flood the Congress with your concerns so they are fresh in their minds when they meet to discuss possible changes.

Remember, to make this law workable for families and small business alike, we need:

The retroactive interpretation reversed. Instead, resellers and retailers should only be responsible for items specifically recalled. A "guilty till proven innocent" approach will bankrupt families and small business and increase prices on all children's goods.
Exclusions from testing for items historically free from lead: clothing & shoes without vinyl or attached charms, wooden toys, books, cloth diapers, hairbows, etc.
Allow for component testing, so that when a bolt of fabric is used to make three different sizes of jeans, it only needs to be tested once, not three times. Small crafters making items from already tested items should not be required to retest.

I'm sure there is much more that needs to be done, but those are the biggest concerns for resalers (including parents selling their own kids stuff at yard sales & eBay) and micro-crafters.

In addition to flooding Congress with calls (click here for contact information), this (Jan 15) is the last day to Vote for Change. So be sure to add your vote for the Save Small Business from the CPSIA. The winning ideas will be presented to the Obama administration after inaugaration.

Thanks again to everyone who has taken time to make our democracy work for the people. Please keep up the great work as the job is not yet done.

Jennifer Guenther
Enkore Kids
CEO/Mommy
http://www.enkorekids.com/
http://www.enkorestuff.com/

Save Second-Hand Kids' Clothes & Toys:

2009-01-08T19:27:00.007-05:00

Wow!

It's been a busy day answering emails, phone calls, and distributing our flyer to our local businesses and families here in Boonsboro. By the way, feel free to copy and distribute it far and wide to help us get the word out. Click here for the flyer.

Thank you to all of you that have forwarded the email I sent last night. Please keep spreading the word and directing people to do contact their representatives. Only Congress can make the change we need, according to the CPSC.

I also want to thank Blaine Young, from WFMD for allowing me to speak on the issue live on the radio. I was fortunate enough to be the first caller to introduce a topic and after I hung up, the calls flooded the radio station and the entire rest of the show discussed just the CPSIA! Then, immediately after the Blaine Young show, Glenn Beck spent a half hour on the subject. Read a transcript here. The Frederick News Post will be printed a story today (1/9) so be sure to check it out and add your comments! Also, NBC 25 out of Hagerstown, MD will be doing a story.

So, we've made some in-roads. But the work isn't done.

The CPSC issued a press release today. Heralded as the end of the resale industries troubles it is nothing of the sort. All it does is restate the law:

Items made before November 2008 are not required to be tested as per the law, hence the CPSC reiterates that resale stores are not responsible for testing.
However, those resellers that do sell products in violation of the new limits could face civil and/or criminal penalties.

So we don't have to test, but to be sure we don't open ourselves up to civil and/or criminal penalties I either don't sell anything that I don't have a GCC for or I have to test it myself.

I feel insulted that the CPSC even bothered to issue that press release.

So the the CPSC has not heard the end of this issue from the resale industry and our Congressmen and Senators haven't either. Please keep on them about this important issue as it affects all of us with children, not just the resale industry. Click on the links in this paragraph for contact information.

What needs to be done:

Reverse the Falvey Opinion that interprets the law with respect to lead is retroactive. Even once we get passed 2/10, the legal lead limit is lowered to 300 ppm in August, 2009 and to 100 ppm in August, 2011, so each time the stuff legally made right before the deadline will be illegal afterwards unless the "retroactivity" is reversed. And since GCC's aren't required to specify the amount of lead (if any) in the product, this chaos will return again as retailers won't have any idea if the products on their shelves meet the next lower standard.
The CPSC needs to take responsibility for recalling products before we can be liable for selling or reselling them.

Barring a reversal of the Falvey Opinion, my next best solution is for the CPSC to officially recall every child's item made before November, 2008. Thay way retailers and consumers with all this toxic stuff can turn it in to the manufacturer for full retail credit!

Save the Handmade Industry, too!

I also want to touch on the effect this law has on the handmade industry, too. See the Handmade Toy Alliance website for a more detailed discussion. This law affects everyone who makes quality products for children, from Grandma quilting baby blankets for the church auction, to Mom who makes her own cloth diapers and in turns it into a business selling on eBay and more!

See a great 3 minute YouTube video here and at the links to the left.

Have you ever made hairbows from material you got at the local craft store? Well, whether or not the materials were tested by the manufacturer (they may not have been required since "ribbon" by itself isn't necessarily for kids under 12), you'd be responsible for testing every component before you could legally sell it.

I have beautiful handmade hairbows and barrets made by a local mom. Come February 10, I'm going to have to give them back to her because I won't be allowed to sell them. If the Falvey Opinion is reversed, then my current stock is fine, but that doesn't solve the problem for the future as she'll be required to test all new products she makes.

It's crazy expensive to do the testing. Right now, the law allows manufacturers to do their own testing by unspecified means.

One way is with a "soluable test" - it basically desolves the item (destroying it, of course) and the lab will tell you how much lead was in it. Another acceptable means (only until August, 2009) is via XRF testing. It's basically an x-ray machine that will tell you after a few minutes of internal calculating how much lead is in the part you shot the x-rays at.

Nevermind the cancer risk to the operator who is verifying the many items they make: we're talking about children's safety in this law, not cancer from excess x-ray exposure.

After August, 2009, third party testing is required by an accredited lab. Luckily, here in Frederick, MD, is the American Association For Laboratory Accreditation, which recently issued a press release announcing it's proud role in accepting applications for labs wishing to be accredited. (If you'd like to find out how to be accredited and take advantage of this booming new industry, email Adam Gouker.)

Estimates for the cost of doing third parting testing is $50 to $4000 per component, with an average of $500, per batch. Take a cloth diaper with 3 components (liner, cover, & velcro): that's $1500, oh, wait, there's the thread, too: $2000. Get a new bolt of materials and you need to test again. Want to offer cloth diapers in different colors and sizes: test for each difference.

And their are currently only 19 labs in the US that are accredited. See the whole list here.

Ridiculous!

New Administration to Urge for Delay in Digital TV Transition

Now while the CPSIA law passed in August of 2008 with much of the unintended effects not being known until December (I just found out on Jan 2), the entire children's industry is supposed to be held accountable to this new law in just a few short weeks.

However, the Digital TV Transition scheduled for February 17, 2009 and planned since at least 2005 (that's 4 years!) may be delayed because the $1.34 BILLION dollars appropriated by Congress to help poor and rural Americans get free converter boxes was not enough.

Read the AP story here. It says that Congress will have to pass a bill to authorize the delay since they originally passed the law requiring the transition.

Ok, so 4 years and $1.34 BILLION dollars, plus funding for commercials notifying everyone of the change isn't enough, but 6 months and $0 dollars to manufacturers, retailers, and resellers, and no public campaign to disseminate information on this law that will affect everyone with children or who work in the children's industry if fine?

Give me a break!

Please continue to vote for change and contact Congress, the media, and your friends about this important issue. Feel free to link to my blog, too! (Read my previous post below for more information.) Congress and Media, feel free to phone me at 240-674-1859. Other inquiries, please email at store@enkorekids.com.

Thanks!

Jennifer Guenther
Enkore Kids
CEO/Mommy
http://www.enkorekids.com/
http://www.enkorestuff.com/

New Law Threatens Family Budgets, Environment, & Small Business

2009-01-06T12:23:00.010-05:00

At Enkore Kids, your child’s safety has always our first priority since our opening in 2003. All toys and clothing accepted into our store must pass our rigorous system of safety. This includes the staff and myself personally testing the products for loose attachments and more importantly checking the CPSC’s recall website, among other safety measures. We value our relationship with you and your child and take pride in providing your child safe toys and clothing. We are mothers as well and nothing is more important than the safety of our children.

The Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 (CPSIA), was created with the intent to toughen safety standards (particular with regards to lead and phthalates). It's key points are (in very abbreviated form as it is a 67 page law):

Ban phthalates in all durable child care items for children under 3.
Progressively restrict lead in all children's items (includes all child equipment, toys, books, school supplies, electronics, clothing, shoes, etc) that is for use by children under 12.
As of February 10, 2009, the amount of lead may not exceed 600 ppm.
As of August, 2009, the amount may not exceed 300 ppm.
As of August, 2011, the amount may not exceed 100 ppm (unless the CPSC determines it is technologically unfeasible, in which case further guidance will be given).
Beginning in November, 2008, all manufacturers were required to self-test all their skus, by batch or lot, and issue General Certification of Conformity (GCC) to accompany all imports or sales to distributors and retailers, regardless of where the product originates (domestic & foreign).
As of February 10, 2009, no items that do not pass these tests (or were not tested) may be manufacturered, sold, or distributed.
As of August, 2009, all children's products will be required to have permanent labels affixed to them showing manufacturer information and tracking information so batches and lots can be identified.
Also as of August, 2009, all children's products will be required to be tested by a third party accredited lab. No exceptions have been provided for. There are currently 18 accredited labs in the US.

While I support higher safety standards and required testing of potential lead-containing items, this law is seriously flawed in ways that are devestating to all sectors of our society. The major unintended consequence of the law is that all products legally made prior to November, 2008, will be assumed "hazardous" unless they were tested and the manufacturer can produce a GCC to prove it.

The CPSC's "Falvey Opinion" interprets the CPSIA to mean that the law with respect to lead is retroactive. This means unless a person or retailer can prove through testing that their child's item has less than 600 ppm lead as of February 10, 2009, it will be illegal to sell. Then in August, items legally made to contain less than 600 ppm of lead will be illegal to sell as the standard will be reduced to 300 ppm. This mass illegalization of children's products will again occur in August of 2011 when the standard changes to 100 ppm.

This will affect as examples only (not all inclusive):

All hand-crafters, work at home manufacturers, and small run manufacturers who will not be able to afford testing, which is estimated to cost between $150-$4000 per component tested, with an average cost of $500. As an example, a cloth diaper may have three components: inner fleece, outer lining, and velcro. At a cost of $500 per component, that would cost $1500 for one batch of cloth diapers using the same materials. Change the color or start on a new bolt of material and testing is required again.
Daycare providers as they are required by law to provide "safe" items for the children they care for as defined by the CPSC. As the CPSC's interpretation of the law is that untested items are unsafe unless proven by testing as safe, daycare providers will either need to obtain proof of testing from the manufacturer, test their items, or buy new items. However, they'll be forced to go through this again each time the law reduces the allowable level as the GCC provided doesn't say what the level is.
Thrifts, Consignments, and Charities that sell used items will not be able to resell used items without the GCC.
You will not be legally allowed to sell your own items on eBay, Craiglist (or any other site), or even hold a yard sale without providing a GCC to the buyer to prove their children's items are in compliance. You will not even be legally allowed to donate or give away these items, even to foreign countries as it is explicitly forbidden to "export" items not proven safe.
Hotels, hospitals, and any public play area will have to ensure all their child-related items are tested or replace them as they are provided to the public.
Libraries will have to ensure their children's books have been tested or replace them.
New & Used book stores will likewise have to ensure their books for children are safe or discard them.
Schools will have to examine all their child-related items and supplies from books, to science equipment, to paper clips if they are to be used by children 12 and younger. Items not proven tested, will, by CPSC's interpretation of the law, have to be tossed as well.
PTA fundraisers that involve handmade crafts for kids will be forbidden.
Holiday craft bazaars by your local church will likewise be forbidden for children's products.
Trade shows for vintage Barbies, Star Wars Figures, Hotwheels, among others will be illegal.
Families looking to save money or be environmental friendly by reusing and recycling children's items will no longer be able to.

Does this sound extreme? Perhaps, but (as the fine for violations is $100,000 per offense and up to 5 years in jail) I am not willing to risk it and neither should you. As ignorance of the law is not often a good defense, it is vital that the word about this law and the CPSC interpretation of the retroactivity of it be spread far and wide to ensure it is fixed before more irrepairable harm is done.

A brief review of the internet by Googling "CPSIA" will show that 1000's of people are already making decisions to liquidate inventory, stop production, and file for bankruptcy. So I ask you to help change this law by:

Sign the Save Kids' Clothing Resale Petition! (Also has links to easily send your customizable comments to all your Congressional leglislators.
For Maryland Legislators, find phone numbers and websites for more contact information.
For other states, Google your representative and senators. It's much more impactful to call and visit personally than to just email.
Contact your local level government officials as well and local level Republican and Democrat committee members.
Call local radio shows and other media to ask that this issue get the coverage it deserves.
Vote for Change, the top 10 ideas will be presented to President Obama after his inaugeration.
Post your comments here and on other CPSIA Blogs. There is strength in numbers.
Find official information on the CPSIA at the CPSA's website.
Read the LA Times Article on the issue, too.

Forward this information to all your friends, especially parents, so they can help, too.

We request an immediate suspension of the CPSIA as written to stop American small businesses from going under in all the confusion until a new law can be thoroughly debated and provide for:

Allowing of pre-existing, non-recalled children's items legally manufactured to continue to be legally sold despite future mandated reductions in lead content as it is impossible for the end consumer to know under what standard a particular item was made.
Exclusions from testing for small manufacturers and hand-crafters that have historically not had issues with recalls.
Exclusions for testing materials that are by their nature, non-toxic such as cotton, wood, etc.
Specific exclusions for items that by their nature must have lead in them (ie: bicycle tire valve stem, many electronic components) even though a child under 12 will be using it. Provide for labeling of these components so parents are informed.

Please use these points when speaking with our elected officials because just denouncing a bill without a recommended course of action will likely not get far.

Thank you for reading this and I (and my fellow business owners, families, and other concerned citizens) appreciate your help.

Jennifer Guenther
Enkore Kids
CEO/Mommy
http://www.enkorekids.com/
http://www.enkorestuff.com/

Enkore Kids: Helping You Make Ends Meet

2008-12-10T11:47:00.004-05:00

I think most everyone is worried about the economy these days. We haven't seen times like these since the 1970's. Unemployment is rising, credit is tight, and no one knows quite what to expect.

Enkore Kids can help you earn money in three ways:

Buy Out-Right:
We buy most kid-related items for cash or twice the amount in store credit upfront at the time of your appointment. This is an important distinction from typical consignment stores because it allows you to turn around and buy the things your kids need now, without having to wait for your items to sell.
Consignment:
For items we can't buy outright, we sell on consignment where you receive 40% in cash after it sells or 50% in store credit. We list our consigned items in our on-line store or our eBay store to maximize it's selling price for you.
eBay Instruction:
As we specialize only in kid-related items, I'm sure there are items you may no longer need, but just don't know how to get the most for them. We can help you sell your non-kid related stuff as well with eBay.

As Maryland's only Certified Education Specialist trained by eBay, I am uniquely qualified to help you sell on eBay. Who knows, maybe you can join the 1.3 million eBay members that earn their living on eBay. Our next class will be held on January 15 & 22 (3 hours each day). Space is limited, so please register now by clicking here.

Enkore Kids can also help you save money.

Wish List:
Planning ahead can save you big. Many of our popular items come and go within a matter of days. Unless you have the time to stop in daily, you'll miss out on a lot of great stuff. So let us know what you're looking for and we'll call you when it comes in. Our wish list isn't perfect, as some items sell before we've had a chance to call everyone on the list, but it will give you a better chance of catching that unique item you've been looking for.
Email:
By giving us your current email address, you'll get notified of current sales, receive email-only coupons, and find out about new items.
On-Line:
Shopping on-line can save you time and after all time is money. You can select for in-store pickup at no charge if you're local. And if you'd rather pickup your items from Frederick, we can arrange for that as well at no charge.
Every Day Great Deals:
Our prices on our new items are among the lowest in the area and our new-to-you items are generally priced at least 1/2 off of new.

So while the economy may be uncertain and many people are putting off every expense possible, you don't need to have your kids do without. Enkore Kids can help you find money in your no-longer needed items and stretch your dollar further when you make your next purchase.

Jennifer Guenther
Enkore Kids, LLC
CEO/Mommy
www.enkorekids.com
www.enkorestuff.com
Posted by Enkore Kids, LLC

Grand Re-Opening Sept 6 & 7, Plus Boonsboro Days!

2008-09-05T15:58:00.003-04:00

I know it's been a while since I've posted. If I had remembered to bring my camera's memory reader today, I'd be able to show you why. I guess you'll just have to stop by the store and see for yourself! :-)

Since opening the front half of our store on June 25th, we've been hard at work getting the back room ready and preparing to fill the huge space. Well, it's finally open and we'll be celebrating big with our new town of Boonsboro during Boonsboro Days Sept 6 & 7 (Sat & Sun). Rain or shine!

We'll be featuring Cecil the Cycling Clown on Saturday afternoon and a Fun 4 Hours Bounce House on Sunday from 12-4pm.

Both days, we'll have free popcorn and a prize wheel in addition to our Double Rewards Special, Basket Sale, and other specials. See www.EnkoreKids.com for details. For your safety, we now have opened our back entrance, so please park in the back. Due to the activity of Boonsboro Days, parking will be for customers only.

Yes, there are still some minor details to finish up, but I hope you'll agree it's been worth the wait. One thing that still needs finishing it our children's play area. It'll be almost three times as large as our old store's play area (in keeping with our larger selling area). We hope to have the child-safe play area finishing by mid-September.

Our newly remodeled changing area will give you plenty of room for expecting moms and your children to try on clothes. Yes, we now carry maternity!

We have also expanded our hours, starting Sept 4, we're now open Monday thru Saturday 10 am to 6 pm and Sunday from 12-4 pm. We can't wait to see you and show you around the new store!

Jennifer Guenther
Enkore Kids, LLC
CEO/Mommy
www.enkorekids.com
www.enkorestuff.com

Now Open in Boonsboro!

2008-06-25T23:19:00.005-04:00

It was a lot of hard work and late nights, but we managed to move our remaining Frederick store products and computers and finish our major front room projects in time to open today at 146 S. Main St, Boonsboro, MD!

We're especially proud of our checkout and display counters, carefully designed from 5 years of experience to serve you better.

You'll find much of the same type of items as our Frederick store for now: New items from Webkinz, Melissa & Doug, Finishing Touches Hair Bows (now self-serve and not behind our front counter!), Radian Car Seats, Ergos (more due in next Wednesday!) and Cloth Diapers (more due in soon); and "new to you" items including clothing sized newborn to 8/10, toys, and related equipment.

We're still working on our back room, but once that's open, we'll be expanding our assortment of "new to you" items to include kid-clothing up to size 14, maternity, and outdoor toys. We're also looking at additional new lines, so please tell us your thoughts on what you'd like to find at Enkore Kids!

If you have items you'd like to find a new home for, give us a call at 301-668-0837 to set up an appointment! Find out how we process your offer by clicking here.

Jennifer Guenther
Enkore Kids, LLC
CEO/Mommy
www.enkorekids.com
www.enkorestuff.com

Count Down to Moving Day!

2008-06-19T01:47:00.008-04:00

Only a few more days until our Frederick store is closed and a couple days after that till we open the front portion of our Boonsboro store!

June 22nd is the last day for Frederick. Be sure to stop in now for 50% off everything remaining in the store! Offer is valid only on items in the store and cannot be applied to previous purchases.

We'll be opening the front portion of our Boonsboro store on June 25th. The deck is finally done, but as this is the first deck we've built, it took quite a bit longer than anticipated and so our backroom is not ready yet. We are proud to say, though, that we have two neighbors who are contractors who have both said it's the best deck they've ever seen!

Since we've promised we'll be worth the drive (with over 3x the space of our Frederick Store), we'll be offering 10% to all customers in our Boonsboro store who mention this blog post! (Not combinable with other offers. Maximum discount is $10. Offer expires July 31st.)

We plan to have the back room open in time for our Grand Re-Opening, currently scheduled for August 30.

Until the back room is open, please park in front as parking in the rear will require you to walk around the building.

Jennifer Guenther

Enkore Kids, LLC

CEO/Mommy

http://www.enkorekids.com/

http://www.enkorestuff.com/

Working on the Deck

2008-06-03T08:26:00.005-04:00

We've been saying all along that taking the trip to Boonsboro would be well worth the drive. We'll have three times the space inside the store in Boonsboro than we currently have in Frederick. With the addition of the deck, we're adding another 440 square feet for displaying outdoor toys and strollers!

In addition to giving us more room for great stuff, it'll also serve as our rear entrance for our off-street parking behind our building.

As this turned out to be a bigger project than anticipated, we're moving back our closing date in Frederick from June 15 to June 22. So you'll now have an extra week to enjoy our clearance sales. See www.EnkoreKids.com for more details.

For more pictures, check out our slide show!

Jennifer Guenther
Enkore Kids, LLC
CEO/Mommy
www.enkorekids.com
www.enkorestuff.com

The Cows Come Home

2008-05-08T21:10:00.006-04:00

A nice diversion from the work, we experienced something that would never happen at the Westview Promenade: a small herd of cows walking through our backyard!

The owners came along shortly thereafter in their truck trying to guide them back home. I wish they would have let them graze a bit more since it would have saved us from having to mow the lawn!

Back inside, the work is coming along nicely, though of course everything takes longer than you wish it would. At this point it looks like it'll still be a while before we can officially start being open in Boonsboro. In the meantime, get your Enkore "fix" in Frederick and save big with our Moving Sales! See www.enkorekids.com for details!

Jennifer Guenther

Enkore Kids, LLC

CEO/Mommy

www.enkorekids.com

www.enkorestuff.com

Check out the New Store Front!

2008-04-01T20:42:00.006-04:00

Wow, what a difference a few windows make!

We ran out of siding so the front is not quite finished, but it will be by this weekend. It was quite a task, but among my husband, my nephew, Susan and myself we managed to completely reframe the front wall, remove the old windows and door, and install the new windows (which we got a great deal on at an auction) and door all without breaking anything including (and most importantly) ourselves!

The other major project this week was installing a door for our new rear entrance (replacing the existing window). This is one of the few projects we've sub'ed out as it involved cutting through 13 inches of brick wall that opens out to a five foot drop. Mike Kisner, resident of Boonsboro, was our contractor and did a great job. The saw we rented for the job was so incredibly heavy, I'm amazed that it was even possible to make a straight line through that much brick.

The finished product will offer a rear entrance from our off-street parking behind our building and will open onto a huge deck. That project will be waiting on warmer/dryer weather, though!

Kevin got into the swing of things, and with a few useful tips from Mike (and a new tool to cut the groove for the saw to follow), he had his hand with the brick-cutting saw as well.

The poncho is needed because those saws require water to keep cool (and also helps keep down the dust). It looked like the Ammityville Horror movie after he was done cutting the wider opening for our bathroom, with all the red brick dust mixing with the water and sprayed over everything! Luckily all fingers and toes were accounted for.

A lot more changes are coming, so continue looking back for more updates and feel free to stop by the new store at 146 S. Main St in Boonsboro to see for yourself. We're there rather randomly during the week, but almost all hours on Friday and Saturday.

Jennifer Guenther
Enkore Kids, LLC
CEO/Mommy
www.enkorekids.com
www.enkorestuff.com

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

2008-03-10T14:40:00.002-04:00

We've been very hip on trying to find new homes for the reuseable stuff we no longer have a need of in our new store: the carpet, tile, and two radiators have all found new homes through Freecycle.

So when we're looking for items we are in need of, of course the first thing we think of is can we find it used? We did this with refinishing our wood floor instead of buying a new one. And the additional fixtures we'll be needing we searched for on the internet and found some in great condition down in Rockville.

We also found some great deals at Value City. While we hate seeing any business close, we spent our weekend taking down awnings and lighting fixtures that will find a new home in our Boonsboro store. It was a lot of work, but it pays off in lower prices for you and less perfectly usable stuff in our landfills.

Some additional items we're still looking for include computers with Windows XP and an ethernet card. They don't need to have any bells and whistles, just able to connect to the internet. They'll be used for our eBay classes that will be starting up this summer. For donations, we'll be happy to exchange a free eBay class! Payment in store credit can also be arranged after we've evaluated it's use for our needs.

Let us know if you'd like to bring your old computer in by emailing me directly at enkorekids@enkorekids.com or calling me at 240-674-1859. Thanks!

Jennifer Guenther
Enkore Kids, LLC
CEO/Mommy
www.enkorekids.com
www.enkorestuff.com

Where's the Tylenol?

2008-02-24T21:50:00.016-05:00

I have sore muscles I never knew I had!

We've been very busy since my last post. Susan is here coordinating a Freecycle pickup for our lovely gray carpet that just isn't right for us. The amount of glue used was incredible! Though it only took a day or two to rip up the carpet and find it new homes, it took a good additional week of hard work scraping, sanding, and using adhesive remover to get the glue and tar (yes, tar!) off our wood floor.

Here's the hidden gem being reveiled:

And fully scrubbed:

We're still working on the staining and polyurethaning. So stay tuned for more pictures of our beautifully restored wood floor (in the true tradition of Enkore!).

And the garage/storage has undergone a similar transformation:

This is our newly-painted beige floor. Makes it much cheerier!

And here's our under construction wall. Susan and I are particularly proud of how level and square it is considering the brick behind is often neither level or square!

This is it freshly painted and our pallet racks starting to be put up:

And this is Susan taking a nap:

Kevin, my husband, has had his projects as well, such as demolishing the old small office:

And installing the garage door opener:

Not to mention the being the brains behind installing fixtures and the technical assistance for pallet rack and wall building.

This is Angel, our nephew, visiting from California and helping us get the new store ready: He's been a great help in moving stuff, cutting wood, and painting.

We'll, I'm wore out. I'm going to go find the Tylenol, get some sleep, and get ready for the next week. I'll post more later, stay tuned...!

Jennifer Guenther

Enkore Kids, LLC

CEO/Mommy

www.enkorekids.com

www.enkorestuff.com

The Work Begins...

2008-02-15T00:02:00.010-05:00

The building is really in good structural shape, especially considering it was first built in 1924!

It has been rebuilt, added on to, and modified over the years and before Enkore Kids takes over, we'll be adding our own special touches.

First to go is the small office in the back:
With the apartment upstairs, we'll have plenty of room for offices (and our children's play rooms). Plus, we'll be installing a door where the window is currently to allow access from the parking area in the back.

Next, we've got to do something about the garage floor and lighting. While it's primary use will be storage, I'll be spending a lot of my time there as it'll serve double-duty as our internet shipping area. The front half will serve as our offer receiving area. So we'll be sprucing it up a bit.

And the carpet, nice shade of gray that it is, will also be going. Susan and I envision wood floors in the front half (we've been told there is a nice wood floor under there somewhere) and, with the help of Kevin, my husband, we'll be adding tile to the back half as it's directly on concrete.

Stay tuned for more updates and photos as work progresses!

Jennifer Guenther
Enkore Kids, LLC
CEO/Mommy

Announcing the Enkore Kids Blog

2008-02-13T11:06:00.000-05:00

Enkore Kids has just announced that we'll be moving from the Westview Promenade to our own (and much larger) building in Boonsboro. We've set up this blog to keep those interested in following our progress posted without unduly filling everyone's email box with the details.

We are very excited about the move and the new partnership with Susan McCarthy (associate with Enkore Kids for almost 4 years) that made this possible. Though the building (146 South Main St in Boonsboro) is in excellent condition, we still have a lot of work ahead of us to make it the new home of Enkore Kids. We'll be continuing to operate out of our current location at the Westview Promenade until at least the end of May, 2008. However, we will be limiting appointments for accepting items as we get closer to the end as we don't want to have move it all! Along the same lines, look for great sales to help us limit the amount of items we have to move.

We plan to start taking appointments in Boonsboro in April or May.

The retail space for Boonsboro will be roughly twice the size of our current store at nearly 1700 square feet. Plus, we'll have on-site storage of over 1000 square feet. If that wasn't enough to get you excited, we'll also have an upstairs for meetings, parties, and classes!

Some of the plans we have for the Boonsboro location include:

Expanding our selection of new-to-you outdoor toys
Expanding our clothing selection
Initiating a Founder's Club to provide discounts to for our customers that help get us founded in our new town.
Holding eBay classes
Hosting Mom's Club meetings
Hosting Party Sales (ie: Tupperware, Partylite, MaryKay, etc)
Hosting Birthday parties

Details on all this to follow, but for anyone interested in learning more or booking space now, please email me at store@enkorekids.com.

I'll be trying to post daily to let you know what is going on, so be sure to check back often.

Jennifer Guenther
Enkore Kids, LLC
CEO/Mommy

www.enkorekids.com
www.enkorestuff.com