By Danielle Anderson, Correspondent
The Daytona Beach News-Journal
WWR Article Summary (tl;dr) Desiree Ramirez, owner of “Kids Galore” says being in the resale business is a way she can help parents who are struggling to make ends meet while providing their children access to the latest fashions.
The Daytona Beach News-Journal
Since opening her business a little more than three weeks ago, Desiree Ramirez, owner of Kids Galore, has seen customers coming through her door in search of affordable, name-brand outfits for their children.
Welcoming the community on Saturday, June 8, for her official grand opening, Ramirez was surrounded by family members and friends for the ribbon-cutting in front of her store at 231 St. Joe Plaza, Palm Coast.
The mother of 5-year-old twins, Elissa and Jaycob, Ramirez was a single mother for several years and worked hard to balance her budget while raising her family.
Once located in Volusia County, that Kids Galore thrift and consignment shop closed in 2015. But using money she had saved to buy a home, Ramirez instead purchased the Kids Galore name and merchandise from the previous owner and opened in Palm Coast on May 13.
Doing her research before opening the store, Ramirez compared prices at other consignment and thrift stores in the area to ensure she could be competitive in the resale market while carrying sizes that would be in demand.
She said being in the resale business is a way she can help parents who are struggling to make ends meet while providing their children access to the latest fashions.
“I have almost all name brand items in there — Gymboree, Hollister, Abercrombie — at affordable rates,” said Ramirez. “Kids are growing faster, maturing faster, and with Kids Galore there will be a bit of extra room for parents by carrying junior sizes.”
She said she’s seen families stopping in to pick up graduation wear for little ones from toddlers to teens over the past few weeks and likens the offerings she has on site to Plato’s Closet — a high-end consignment shop for teens and young professionals.
“We’re trying to make a difference for moms out there,” said Ramirez. “I was a single mom for three years and then I met my husband and he’s become my partner. Being a single mom, I know how it is to not be able to afford clothes or anything, and we’re trying to make a difference for people in Palm Coast who were like me.”
As with any small business launching in a new community, getting the word out can be one of the biggest challenges.
Enlisting fellow businesswoman Heather Thompson, owner of HT Productions, who knows that supporting fledgling businesses, especially those owned by women, is important to the fabric of the local business community, Ramirez was thrilled to see more customers coming through her door for Saturday’s grand opening.
“We’re assisting Desiree with her grand opening to try and get the word out and support local business,” said Thompson. “I feel like the outreach and support of all the people that are in town and shared this event is really going to help her business grow quite a bit.”
Also on hand Saturday to welcome Ramirez to the business community, Flagler County Commissioner Greg Hansen acknowledged his pride in seeing her desire to take on the challenge of owning her own business.
“It’s a great entrepreneurial effort by Desiree and her family,” said Hansen. “It’s the small businesses that drive the economy in Palm Coast, so any time someone has the guts to open their own store, I applaud that. I’m here just for them, to make sure they know we appreciate it. It’s very important to our town and our county, and it’s a wonderful thing.”
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