Guilt-Free Shopping for the Family

You might not think of recycling when it comes to clothing, but that’s just what the smart moms at Just Between Friends suggest.

It seems that everyone is going “green” these days, recycling when possible and making tight budgets stretch. You might not think of recycling when it comes to clothing, but that’s just what the smart moms at Just Between Friends suggest.

Back in 1997, a group of friends got together in Tulsa and formed the Just Between Friends sale. While they all wanted to dress their children well, they also wanted to save money and offer their outgrown items to others. The concept started in a living room, where they gathered to “shop” from each other’s surplus items. It quickly grew into the nationally franchised business it is today. The sales take place in large facilities around the country twice a year and offer high quality, gently-worn items for children and expectant mothers.

Amber Post, owner of the Owasso and Kansas City franchises, says that shopping the JBF sale just makes sense. Amber and her husband Frank have two children, Grace and Chris, both third graders in Owasso, and Amber is happy to offer her hometown the savings of the JBF sale. “You buy your kids these adorable outfits and they only get to wear them a few times before they are outgrown. When you buy at the JBF sale, you pay much less for great quality items. It’s guilt-free shopping, and you can get everything the kids need for the season all in one place.”      

If you are picturing a giant garage sale table full of messy stacks of clothing, you’ll be pleasantly surprised. The JBF merchandise is separated by gender and size, neatly hung up and displayed in categories to make shopping easy. Each item is inspected for quality, and the sale resembles a giant children’s store.

This year’s JBF sale will once again be held at the Owasso First Assembly of God Church, located at the corner of 96th Street North and 129th East Avenue, across from the The Home Depot. Sale dates are Wednesday, September 30 through Saturday, October 3. “It’s a great location with lots of free parking and plenty of room,” said Amber.

The JBF sales carry just about everything you could need for kids and expectant mothers, including clothing sizes newborn to 16, baby equipment, children’s furniture, books, baby swings, strollers, cribs, car seats and of course toys. Maternity wear is also a very popular item at the sales, and the savings are significant over department stores.

Those who consign with JBF can earn from 65 to 75 percent, and everyone is welcome to participate. Registration is available online at www.jbfsale.com, where the materials are available to make your own tags, determine your own prices and get information about dropping off your items. Two weeks after the sale, you’ll receive a check in the mail. The process is simple and works well for the consignors and shoppers alike.

JBF also welcomes and rewards volunteers to distribute promotional materials, help set up and break down, and work during the sale, keeping merchandise in order, removing tags and greeting customers. “Those who volunteer get to shop first, before anyone else at our pre-sale; next are the consignors, then the first-time moms with children under 12 months old, daycare owners and teachers,” explains Amber. Consignors earn between 65 to 75 percent depending on the amount of time they volunteer.

The great sales and half-price day on Saturday mean that most of the items are sold. However, each JBF sale offers consignors the option of donating unsold items to local organizations. Owasso’s JBF will be supporting three worthy causes this year: the Pregnancy Resource Center of Owasso, Standing In The Gap ministries, and the Laura Dester Children’s Shelter.

JBF hours are Wednesday (September 30) from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Thursday and Friday (October 1-2) from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Saturday (October 3) is the 50 percent off sale from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. There is a $2 admission on Wednesday only. JBF gladly accepts cash, checks, MasterCard, Visa, Discovery and debit cards. 

For more information, contact

Just Between Friends Owasso

(918) 371-7499

www.jbfsale.com/owass