Six years ago, two sisters-in-law were looking for a way to buy cute, affordable clothes for their children.
Kim Baust and Leah Hooper saw how quickly their kids outgrew everything, yet leaving plenty of life left in the clothes. They knew other moms had to be dealing with the same thing.
And so the Beach Bums Children’s Consignment Sale began, with 30 consignors coming together to sell gently used kids’ clothes and toys at the Hilton Women’s Club House in Newport News.
Since then, the sale has continued to grow, becoming an annual tradition that draws shoppers and consignors from around Hampton Roads, the greater Williamsburg area, Middle Peninsula and beyond. Started as a twice-a-year sale, Beach Bums is now a yearly five-day summer event with more than 160 consignors, 100 volunteers, vendors and hundreds of thrifty shoppers. Consignors earn up to 65 percent of the sales of their items.
This year’s sale – Beach Bums’ 12th -- starts next week at Hampton Roads Academy in Newport News. After a few days of pre-sales for consignors, volunteers, new moms, military and educators, the event opens to the public July 13th and runs through the 16th.
“I participate in Beach Bums every year,” says Williamsburg resident Rebecca Vaughn. “It’s the most efficient way to sell my daughter’s clothes and get the most money in return.”
Vaughn, who owns My Gym Children’s Fitness Center, initially became a part of Beach Bums after being asked to be a vendor. Now, she’s also a sponsor, consignor, volunteer and, as she say, “big-time shopper!” “Even my 9-year-old daughter looks forward to this sale every year,” Vaughn says.
Vaughn, 36, says she’s participated in other seasonal consignment sales in the area, but finds Beach Bums more organized. She says she also likes the personal attention that Baust and organizer Katey Howerton, who came on board when Hooper moved away a few years ago, give to the consignors and volunteers.
Even Baust and Howerton refer to the women (and men!) who help at the sale each year as their “Beach Bums family.” And the event is more than just a sale – it’s become a fun, social activity and a chance to meet new friends. Although many people consign, many also simply volunteer for a chance to shop at the presales and get first dibs on the great buys.
The Beach Bums event will be open to the public on Wednesday, July 13, from 5 to 9 p.m., and on Thursday and Friday, July 14 and 15, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event will be open again on Saturday, July 16, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., when many items will be half-price.
On Tuesday, July 12, between 7-9 p.m., members of the military (and their dependents) and educators can shop a special presale with identification. The popular new mom presale also takes place Tuesday evening, but pre-registration is required.
The sale will be located in the gym at Hampton Roads Academy, 739 Academy Lane in Newport News. In addition to great deals on children’s clothes, toys and other kid gear, a number of vendors will be on site, including Oberweis Dairy, Pampered Chef, Usbourne Books, Tupperware, Marker Nine apparel, Origami Owl jewelry, Luluroe clothing, and more. In addition, a massage therapist and a Disney trip planning specialist will also be on hand.
For more information, visit www.beachbumssale.com or visit their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/beachbumssale.