Pop-up children’s consignment event helping valley families

Marlayna Covington wasn’t expecting baby number three, so she got rid of all her baby items, and forgot just how expensive they can be.

“When I went back to look at the prices I thought this is a real financial burden, and I can’t imagine for people that can’t really afford that,” Covington said.

Due in just 10 days, she took advantage of Monkey in the Middle’s pop-up children’s and maternity boutique for some last minute essentials. The consignment shop opens for just three days twice a year and offers valley families a chance to save big bucks on their little tots.

“Especially little ones go through their items so quickly and sometimes they never get used and they’re in great condition and for shoppers who are out of their budget they can get them at 40-90 percent off,” said Jules Loya, co-owner Monkey in the Middle.

Everything you see in the store went through a highly-selective screening process.

“We not only check for quality, but also for safety and recall,” Loya said.

In just three days, more than 20,000 items sold.

“We opened to the public Friday at 11am and we had 1,000 shoppers through our doors, and shoppers got approximately 60 percent of our inventory,” said Brianna Van Lierop, co-owner of Monkey in the Middle.

Many of the unsold pieces will go to a good cause.

“Any items marked donate will go to Martha’s Village and Kitchen, and we also send items to Africa for mission work,” Van Lierop said.

But if you think selling all those strollers and cribs mean hefty paychecks for owners Van Lierop and Loya, think again. They make close to no profit after they pay consigners, and that’s the way they intend it.

“They’re supporting a local parent and we’re helping support local families. We really are the monkey in the middle between the consigner and the shopper,” Van Lierop said.