A single mother is making parenthood easier for families in Islington by selling pre-loved baby clothes for a fraction of their value.
Charlotte Pearson, 28, opened her “baby boutique” Kiss Chayce in Caledonian Road in April, where as well as giving cash to those who give her their used clothes she also makes bundles of tiny garments to give away to struggling parents.
Ms Pearson, who named the shop after her own two-year-old son, Chayce, says she wants to expand her work to help young mothers in the community.
She says that part of the shop’s popularity comes from the fact that all the clothes are carefully washed, ironed and lovingly displayed in the shop.
“I know how hard it can be when you’re a new parent on your own,” said Ms Pearson, who lives in Amhurst Park, Stamford Hill.
“When I had my little boy, because me and his dad didn’t get along very well, I had to do it all by myself.
“I had my mum and sister and friends and family but there are women out there who don’t have that support.
“That inspired the idea, I wanted to build something positive for my son.
“Chayce has been growing really fast so most of the first clothes came from him, it kind of just grew and grew.”
Ms Pearson contacted Facebook groups for used baby clothes and has also had a lot of donations from local parents and now says she has enough clothes to fill three shops.
She even buys back stock from customers once they are no longer any use.
“People will come and look in here now before they go to the high street.
“A lot of people who know that we give out free bundles will give us clothes because they know they’re going to a good cause. So they will come to us instead of charity shops.
“If I can afford to I like to buy from people as well, if you’re a parent struggling then sometimes getting a few pounds from used clothes can really help.
“Part of my business plan is to help young women who find themselves pregnant and alone.
“Some young mothers don’t even know how to bath a baby or change a nappy and I’d like to help with that sort of thing.”
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