2017 Golden Teddy Awards — Shopping + Services

Winner: Just Between Friends

These events are winners across multiple categories for good reason. If you haven’t attended a Just Between Friends sale yet, put it on your calendar! Quality maternity and infant items make life so much easier, but you only need them for a few months. Instead of spending big on retail, save money on lightly used baby and maternity items and feel good that you’re reducing your carbon footprint. “I love the organization; everything is clean and orderly, and items are sorted neatly. I like the quality. I also like that volunteers are friendly, and there are opportunities to get involved,” says one mom.

Finalists

Since 1983, Village Maternity has been independently owned and operated in Seattle, with a second generation joining the well-loved University District shop in 2012. Village Maternity’s carefully curated selection helps mothers-to-be look and feel their best in clothing that is as fashion-forward as maternity wear gets, while Jellycat stuffed animals and clothes, which are as soft and comfy as they are cute, delight babies. The store doesn’t neglect practicalities, though; staff is trained to help customers find the best-fitting nursing bras, and the store carries a wide selection of pump parts.

With its practical selection of new nursing supplies and new-to-you maternity and nursing wear, it’s no surprise that readers voted Childish Things into the finals for both the kids’ clothing and maternity and infant categories. When you are done with your purchases, you might sell them back on consignment, or if you’re feeling charitable, its North Seattle shop is also a drop-off site for WestSide Baby. One reviewer said, “I love Childish Things! I’ve found many cute pieces and outfits in great shape (or new) for a fraction of the cost I would have paid new.”

You don’t have to live in a trendy neighborhood in the city to visit a high-end, organic baby shop. For parents determined to raise their babies in a non-toxic household and without generating huge amounts of waste, Nola Baby Co. in Bremerton is a mom-owned and operated natural parenting store carrying cloth diapers, baby carriers, amber, lactation cookies, toys, and more.

Also a finalist for clothing, Small Threads for Kids consignment store has “a huge toy section and bikes/strollers, and you can sometimes find cribs, dressers and more,” according to one reviewer. Customers appreciate that Small Threads’ offers consistently low prices for what can often be big ticket items.