Since 2010, resale and consignment shop LuLu’s Then & Now has served as a go-to spot for Brownstone Brooklyn parents in search of cute and chic (but affordable) duds for their kids. (Its sister store, Cuts & Toys, helps keep unruly tresses somewhat in check.) A staple on the borough’s 5th Avenue, the store recently closed. But fear not; in fact, celebrate! LuLu’s Then & Now merely relocated to a bigger and better space on nearby 4th Avenue. The new LuLu’s features even more gently-used clothes, tons of new toys, a dressing room and a souped-up drop-in play space. Change is good! Read on to get the scoop on the new and improved store.
More space, more merch
It’s not a new story: a rent hike at the old 5th Avenue shop made LuLu’s owner Brigitte Prat decide to close the location, and she wasn’t even sure if the clothes and toys arm of her LuLu mini empire (which, in addition to Cuts & Toys includes LuLu’s for Baby) would continue. However, when a realtor connection showed her a sprawling space on 4th Avenue (more than double the size of the old store) Prat felt it was the perfect place for LuLu’s 2.0.
The 1,800-square-foot store still sells (and buys) gently-used clothes for kids ages newborn to 12 — just lots more of it — as well as maternity clothes on consignment. (The store is currently buying for summer; you can read sellers’ rules and guidelines here if you’re interested in getting some cash for your primo castoffs.) In addition, Lulu’s is now selling new clothes and shoes from brands such as All Good Loving Kids, Native and Salt Water and select overstock from boutique labels (read: Bergdorf goods at discount prices).
Toy Story
The new expanded space also allows for a huge inventory of new toys from eco-friendly and educational companies like Tegu, Plan, Green Toys and Begin Again and urban parent favorites such as micro mini scooters and all things NYC MTA. You’ll also find decor items that will look right at home in any stylish tot’s nursery or bedroom, i.e. plush animal heads from the U.K. ready for wall-mounting.
Stop, Drop and Play!
Perhaps the most exciting feature of the new store is a 350-square-foot play space tricked out with a play house, tent, chalkboard and magnetic walls, Duplo blocks, puzzles, costumes for dress up and much more.
The play space will operate on a drop-in basis daily from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the rate of $12 per session for one child and $6 for additional children; 10 packs are also available for $105. (Caregivers must remain with children in the play space at all times.) Read the complete list of guidelines for the play space here.
LuLu’s Then & Now
187 4th Ave.
Park Slope
718-398-5858
Online: lulusthenandnow.nyc
Have you check out the new LuLu’s Then & Now? Let us know in the comments below!
—Mimi O’Connor
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