FARMINGTON — A new shop, Bouncing Baby Boutique, is preparing to open in the former Fabric Inn space at 413 Wilton Road.

With three small children of her own, Nina Pottle of West Bath has learned how quickly they can outgrow clothing and other baby necessities.

Based on a store in Bath, Pottle plans to offer Farmington area moms and families a chance to sell clean, whole, stain-free items they no longer need, and perhaps purchase something they do need.

“It’s not a consignment shop,” Pottle said Monday as she separated clothing while waiting for store racks to arrive. “We own everything here. I’m a broker between mothers.” She will purchase items for newborns through pre-teens, either giving the seller cash or credit on future purchases.

It’s like a circle.

Families are able to sell items to Pottle. She then sells them to others who need them, making a circle, she said. She’ll try to meet supply and demand. In addition to clothing, strollers, car seats, toys and items for older children are accepted by the boutique.

She’s looking for clothing for newborns to 12-month-olds especially, she said.

Parents can drop off items, but the purchase takes a couple days. Pottle will evaluate whether she wants to buy the items, determine a price she’s willing to pay and make an offer. The parent can either accept the offer or come back for their items, she said.  

Clean clothes can be dropped off Sundays and Thursdays. If that’s not convenient, appointments can be made, she said.

Most things are used, but some are new, she said of the items that are usually handed down between children, families and friends. She has purchased many things from mothers like herself or from the Little Bambino’s Boutique in Bath, a store where children can play while mothers visit and shop.

The owner of the store is a friend who helped Pottle start the Farmington shop by sharing her ideas on what works and what doesn’t. Otherwise, it would have been an overwhelming experience, she said.

Pottle and her husband, Benjamin, who grew up in the Farmington area, want to move here. She’ll commute until then, she said.

Benjamin, son of Stephen and Peggy Pottle of Wilton, is a software developer.  They want to find a neighborhood experience for their own children, Frances, 4, Vincent, 3, and Susan, 6 months.

For now, Pottle plans to open the shop as soon as the store racks are in place, which she expected to receive Monday.  She will be open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.  Wednesdays and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday through Sunday, she said.

abryant@sunjournal.com

Copy the Story Link