Seeking a new edge during hard times, Designer’s Consignment in Kirkland has taken off with the addition of children’s clothing line.

Opening downtown in 2004, the clothing store on Main Street is located in an area increasingly known, amongst other retail, for its consignment shops.

But like most of the shop’s neighbors, secondhand consignment is not immune to the drop in customers brought on by the recession.

“Everything has been so painful – the whole economy has nailed everyone,” said Jason Potter, son of store owner Linda Wiley. “We’ve been hit as hard as everyone else.”

Wiley and Potter had hoped Designer’s Consignment would keep going strong since their business model – they do a 50-50 commission and make payments once a month to those who consign – gives people more incentive and opportunity to buy and sell consignment clothes. The expectation is that customers can collect a little extra money for things they wouldn’t normally keep. And after all, Potter said, Kirkland is a destination where people go to shop.

“People can have the latest and don’t have to pay a mint for it,” he added.

But despite their price-sensitivity and a good variety of fashionable women’s clothing, their business traffic dropped off.

In an effort to bring customers back into their store, the mother-and-son noticed a number of their customers complained of a lack of children’s clothes nearby. Potter said including children’s clothes and accessories in their merchandise became an obvious business opportunity and a good chance to respond to the desires of their customers.

“We had been racking our brains to keep our business afloat,” said Potter. “We figured it would be a great addition to all the consignment stores in Kirkland.”

From babies to teens, Designer’s Consignment now carries children’s t-shirts, pants, dresses, sleepwear and coats – as well as shoes and a few children’s furniture items – such as a changing table. About a quarter of the store is now stocked with children’s items.

Potter estimates that items in their shop cost about a third of what a retail item would cost and business if finally starting to pick up again, thanks in part to their decision to open the store to children’s clothing.

“With the children’s section we’re just learning what its about,” said Potter. His mother’s business has taken a “very daring step with this new adventure.”

Designer’s Consignment currently donates items to a variety of charities, including Eastside Domestic Violence, The American Cancer Society, as well as Hope Dolls, an organization for teens.

Potter said he got the idea from seeing a reporter talk about homeless children on the news.”We are always ready to donate to whoever is really in need,” he said.

REBECCA LIVINGSTON is a student in the University of Washington Department of Communication News Laboratory.