2013 Golden Teddy Winners: Shopping + Services

Kids’ Consignment Shop

What could be better than terrific, stylish, gently used kids and maternity clothing? Not much — except perhaps strollers, high chairs, swings, baby seats, toys and more. Find all this at Hopscotch Consignment Boutique in downtown Bellevue. Popular brands available at the store include Hanna Andersson, Burberry, Petit Bateau, Ralph Lauren, Gap … well, you get the picture. “The best EVER!” raves one fan. “Highest-quality consignment selection around, and the owner is great … a real mom who gets it,” says another. Voters appreciate the “great customer service” and “great prices.”

Finalists
You like Jack & Jill, a consignment store that holds sales, providing the venue, advertising and promotion. Consignors prepare items for the sale and drop them off at a designated time. Sales are held at the Lynnwood Convention Center. After the sales, Jack & Jill donates items to local organizations that support families in need. “I love this sale! It just gets bigger and better every year. I am able to fully clothe my kids for each season in super-cute, stylish clothes and stay on budget,” says a reader. Another adds, “Huge, great selection, ran great, always a ton of fun!”

Little Quadoo Consignment, located in Renton, accepts kids’ clothing up to size 10, maternity clothing, toys, furniture, books and more. Customers clearly like the “super-friendly staff, great prices,” “organized, high-quality items” and “reasonable consignment policies.” One voter says simply, “It’s amazing!”

Childish Things values safety and checks items to make sure they’re not recalled, have no loose parts and pose no safety risks. You know this Seattle-based boutique understand kids — the staff counts 16 children between them, from ages 2 to 25. The store offers a selection of gently used clothing for babies and children (preemie to size 8), maternity clothes and baby gear, toys, books and shoes. “Clean, well-organized and stocked with high-quality stuff. Feels a lot less overcrowded than many resale shops without skimping on merchandise,” says a shopper. “Amazing finds — love getting an offer on stuff when I drop things off!” says another.

Next up: Best Toy Store »

Toy Store

Located in Greenwood and downtown Seattle in the Pacific Place shopping center, Top Ten Toys focuses on classic and hands-on playthings that promote creativity. “We love less violent, more educational and ecological toys,” says its mission statement, which also claims, “We will always admit to having lots of toys that are just plain fun.” Voters love Top Ten Toys for its “great selection,” “very high quality” and “awesome staff.” As one fan says, these are “toys that make you think!”

Finalists:
Wee Tots carries toys, kids’ furniture, clothing and more. Located on Main Street in Old Bellevue, it offers European wooden toys, along with baby and educational toys. “Friendly staff, lots of toys to play with,” says a happy reader.

Creative Mom Toys, which carries a variety of educational and devel­opmental toys, tied with Wee Tots in this category. “They have the best and most unique edu­ca­tional toys, games, books. The staff is so friendly and knowledgeable,” reports a reader. Says another fan, “Great customer service. Love that kids can play with everything ... no questions.”

Next up: Best Bookstore »

Bookstore

Barnes & Noble, as they say, needs no introduction. Every one of its stores boasts awesome kids’ departments and inviting areas to hunker down with a good book and a story-hungry child. “A very large selection of picture books, activities, puzzles, etc.,” notes one reader. Another, from Woodinville says, “Their child section is wonderful for reading books! The coffee inside the store is also a huge bonus.” Others like the “fun story times” and “great events.”

You also love Secret Garden Books in Ballard, which is a full-service bookstore with a specialty in children’s books. The store spotlights local writers and gives customers plenty of personal attention. “They’ll get it for you if they don’t already have it. Frequent shopper cards, in-store activities, great staff and selection,” croons a reader. “Lots of free interactive story times for kids throughout the year,” says another fan.