Totally Kids in Baltimore: Consignment for Children's Clothes, Gear, and Furniture
Totally Kids is a children's consignment shop in Baltimore that buys, sells, and trades gently used clothing, gear, and furniture for infants through early elementary ages. The store operates on a traditional consignment model where parents bring items, receive store credit or payment when pieces sell, and browse inventory that rotates based on seasonal demand and what other families bring in.
What Totally Kids Actually Is
The shop focuses on practical goods for the 0-8 age range: clothing (including winter coats, dress clothes, and everyday wear), car seats, strollers, high chairs, changing tables, and cribs. Unlike donation centers or thrift stores where inventory is unpredictable, consignment shops like Totally Kids curate by accepting only items that meet condition standards, meaning you're not sorting through stained or broken goods. The business model rewards parents on both sides: sellers recoup 40-50 percent of the sale price when their item sells (the exact split depends on category), and buyers pay roughly 40-60 percent less than new retail for items in good condition.
Pricing and How Consignment Works Here
Clothing typically ranges from $3 to $15 per item depending on brand and condition. Gear is pricier: a used convertible car seat runs $60-$120, a crib or dresser $80-$200. These prices undercut big-box retailers by half or more but fluctuate based on what's in stock and seasonal demand (winter coats are higher in fall, for example).
When you consign items, you must bring them clean and in working order. Totally Kids inspects pieces and either accepts or declines them on the spot. Accepted items stay on the floor for 60-90 days; if they don't sell, you either pick them up or authorize the shop to donate them. Sellers typically receive payment via store credit (which incentivizes repeat shopping) or check, though confirming the exact payout schedule and method directly is wise since policies can vary.
How Totally Kids Compares to Other Baltimore Consignment Options
Baltimore has several used and consignment options for children's goods, each with different strengths. Play It Again Sports on multiple Baltimore-area locations focuses on sports equipment and gear; it's better for outgrown bicycles, skates, and athletic wear, not everyday clothing or furniture. Upscale resale shops like Gilt in Canton cater to older kids and teens with higher-end fashion; they're not practical for infants or budget-conscious parents buying basics.
Totally Kids sits in the middle: more curated and reliable than Goodwill or thrift stores (where you hunt for hours and find limited furniture), but less focused on designer or luxury pieces than boutique resale shops. It's the right choice if you want a quick trip, predictable selection of essentials (car seats, cribs, everyday clothes), and fair prices. Choose a consignment shop over buying new when budget matters; choose Totally Kids over donation centers when you want your items actually sold and tracked.
Who This Store Suits and Who It Doesn't
Totally Kids works best for parents actively rotating through sizes (infants and toddlers especially), families on tight budgets, and anyone needing reliable used gear like car seats or cribs. The consignment model also appeals to parents decluttering after a child outgrows a stage and wanting money back rather than a tax deduction.
It's less practical if you need specific items urgently (consignment means limited stock and no guarantees), prefer brand-new goods, or shop rarely. Parents with high-end designer kid clothes or furniture might find better returns at specialty luxury consignment shops.
What a First Visit Involves
Walk in with no appointment required if you're just browsing. Expect a small, organized shop with clothing racks organized by size and season, a furniture section toward the back, and car seats and strollers grouped separately. Staff can explain current pricing and what categories they're accepting most actively.
If you're consigning, bring items clean and in a bag or box, and plan 15-20 minutes for inspection. Have your ID and contact information ready. Staff will tell you on the spot if items are accepted and when to expect payment if they sell.
Hours, Parking, and Logistics
Verify current hours directly with the shop, as consignment store hours often shift with staffing. Parking is typically street parking in the surrounding neighborhood; confirm the specific location to assess whether lot parking is available. Most Baltimore consignment shops are in accessible neighborhoods but may have limited dedicated parking.
Totally Kids fills a practical need in Baltimore's parenting economy, offering steady rotation of affordable, safe gear for the under-8 crowd without the waste of single-use consumption.
