After coming across a consignment sale while visiting family in Atlanta, Elaine Martin, a then stay-at-home mom, decided that Owensboro could benefit from something similar. In 2005, she held the very first Pigtails & Cowlicks Consignment sale including children’s clothing in all styles and sizes.
“Everything that kids from babies to teens would need. Items such as clothing from newborn to teen sizes, baby equipment, shoes, and baby furniture are priced by the consignors and tagged for the sale,” Martin said.
As one shopper raved on the sale’s Facebook page, “The prices are amazing! So many items to pick from. Something for everyone! One-stop shop twice a year!”
This year, Martin will hold the Pigtails & Cowlicks sale at the Owensboro Convention Center. With around 50,000 items from 475 consignor families, the sale provides inexpensive options for those looking to save money.
With lively dance music playing, Martin promises a fun atmosphere in which to shop the sale that she said, “really blesses everyone.”
“Consignors earn money, shoppers get great deals and unsold items are picked up by Friends of Sinners and Shepherd’s Hand Clothing Ministry and distributed where needed in the community,” Martin said.
This year’s sale will take place Friday, March 22 from 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. and Saturday, March 23, from 8 a.m. – 1 p.m. Saturday will be the half-off sale. All consignor slots are filled, but volunteers are still needed.
If you are interested in volunteering, please visit pigtailsandcowlicks.com and click on the “Volunteer” tab. Volunteers are permitted to shop at the presale Wed., March 20, which is not open to the public.
Jennifer Higdon learned about a large consignment event held in Nashville from a friend who was able to purchase clothes to outfit her boys for an entire season, without paying high prices. Jennifer, a local entrepreneur and owner of Preservation Station called her sister-in-law, Stephanie Higdon, to see if she would be interested in partnering as co-owners on a comparable sale in Owensboro. According to Jennifer, “Without a moment’s thought, Stephanie said, ‘yes.’”
The two visited a consignment sale in Evansville to gather ideas and inspiration and, in fall 2006, the first The Tot, the Teen, the Wardrobe Sale was brought to Owensboro. Throughout the years the sale has grown from 50 consignors to over 400 and from 10,000 items to over 50,000.
But with growth comes expansion. So, this year, the Higdon women are moving their 26th bi-annual sale from the Boys and Girls’ Club to the Owensboro Convention Center. Although they very much appreciate being able to use the club for past sales, they have outgrown the space.
“The Convention Center gives us twice the space so that we can offer more items to our customers, and the items and racks can be spread out, allowing better access for shoppers with strollers,” Stephanie said.
Ashley Braem shops every sale. With five children ranging in age from 1 to 8 and another baby due in May, Braem appreciates the bargains she finds at each sale.
“I pretty much will get all their clothes and shoes for the next season,” Braem said. “It is the only place I shop. I volunteer to be able to shop earlier, and I consign to make money to purchase their clothes.”
The sale is still accepting consignors and due to the larger space will need volunteers to pull off the event.
“We couldn’t have the sale without volunteers,” Jennifer explained. “Consignors earn 70 percent of the sale prices but can earn a higher percentage if they volunteer. Both consignors and volunteers shop at pre-sales, and the more time a person can volunteer, the earlier they can shop.”
The Tot, the Teen, the Wardrobe sale for the public will be held Friday, April 12, from 4-9 p.m., Saturday, April 13, from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. and Sunday, April 14, from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. During Sunday’s sale, shoppers will find items at 50 percent off, if the consignor has designated it to be. For more information about the sale, to consign or to volunteer, please visit www.ttwky.com.
