From left: Karie Manning, Annabelle Waltz, and Liz Waltz stand in The Kidz Closet at 127 Elm St. in Damariscotta. Liz Waltz purchased the business Nov. 12 and, with the help of friends, like Manning, and family, has been preparing for the store’s reopening Thursday, Dec. 1. (Maia Zewert photo)
A sign on the door of The Kidz Closet, at 127 Elm St. in Damariscotta, announces the business’s reopening under new management Thursday, Dec. 1. (Maia Zewert photo)
The Kidz Closet, a secondhand children’s clothing store in Damariscotta, will reopen under new management Thursday, Dec. 1.
Liz Waltz, of Walpole, has purchased the business at 127 Elm St., next door to the Skidompha Secondhand Book Shop.
Gerald and Angela Achorn first opened the business in Nobleboro in 2011. The Achorns moved the business to Wiscasset in 2012. The Kidz Closet later moved to Damariscotta; James Locke and Lisa Smith were the most recent owners.
The Kidz Closet offers clothes and shoes in sizes ranging from infant to juniors for boys and girls. The store also carries toys, books, strollers, and much more.
Waltz, who has always wanted to run her own business, purchased The Kidz Closet on Nov. 12. For the past three weeks, Waltz, with friends and family members, organized the store in preparation for opening day.
Customers will notice some changes to the store once The Kidz Closet reopens.
The store now has a “jungle room,” which houses Waltz’s rabbit, Foxie, as well as frogs, lizards, and hermit crabs. All the animals are in cages or tanks and can be viewed by children while their parents shop, Waltz said.
“We wanted to have a very kid-friendly store,” Waltz said. “The clothing racks are shorter, so parents are able to see over them to keep an eye on their kids.”
Waltz has also added a home decor section, which she hopes to expand over time.
In addition, Waltz started a new program called Endless Closet. For a membership fee, Members of the Endless Closet program can purchase up to 60 items per child every two months at a discount off the regular price.
Memberships to the Endless Closet program can be gifted to family members or others in the community, Waltz said.
The Kidz Closet offers clothes and shoes in sizes ranging from infant to juniors for boys and girls. The store also carries toys, books, strollers, and much more, according to new owner Liz Waltz. (Maia Zewert photo)
The store will also have a community fund to help families in need, Waltz said.
“We want to help out local families any way we can,” Waltz said. “If anyone needs help, they are welcome here and we can see what we can do.”
Throughout the month of December, The Kidz Closet will host a gift swap. Customers can donate gift cards from different establishments and receive a gift certificate from the store, Waltz said.
The Kidz Closet can also be rented for baby showers and gender reveal parties, Waltz said.
The Kidz Closet will be open Monday-Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The store is currently accepting donations. Items for consignment are accepted based on the store’s needs and the season, Waltz said.
For more information about The Kidz Closet, call 242-5539 or go to facebook.com/thekidzcloset.
