11/27/2025
Admittedly, when my kids were little, I never bought second hand. I didn’t resell their clothes and I honestly had no real understanding of my environmental impact at the time.
When I bought Bo & Ko. Kids seven years ago, my kids were five and seven. I was simply looking for work that kept me close to them. Back then, I was very focused on the fashion side of the store.
Over time, I’ve learned a lot. Some of it has been eye opening. Some of it has been genuinely heartbreaking. Seeing where clothing ends up and how much of it exists has completely changed the way I shop and the way I think about my own impact.
Quality matters. Just because something is cheap does not mean it will last. Shopping local isn’t a trend for me. Keeping money in my community does far more than I ever understood early on.
I still buy new things, but I always try second hand first. Most of the time, a well made item is better used than a cheaper version new. Styles change and kids grow fast, so durability and thoughtful design matter far more than cheap and cheerful.
I see mountains of clothing every day. The pieces that resell are always the ones built to last. A higher priced, well constructed item can pass through many kids, which means fewer things end up in the landfill.
Maybe it’s age, maybe it’s perspective, but these things matter to me now. If I could talk to my 25 year old self, I’d tell her this. Be mindful of where you spend your money. Look for previously loved options first. Shop locally when you can. Support small businesses, because they are the ones that keep our towns alive and our neighbourhoods worth living in.
Thank you so much for continuing to support our small business and for helping me grow, both as an individual and as a community store.
And thanks for reading this long post 😜