For many Long Island families, making ends meet in this economy is a constant struggle. As founder of The Kids Kloset, Inc. (TKK), Gail Roca of West Islip is helping parents save money in a unique way.

TKK is a twice-yearly sale that has over 25,000 new and nearly new brand-name items consigned by over 300 local families. The event attracts thousands of shoppers looking for savings on items for their children.

Gail, a mother of two, has always been a consignment shopper. “I used to shop in Seaford at Once Upon a Child and everyone commented on my son’s clothing, even though I paid practically nothing for it,” she recalls.

After a trip to a Georgia consignment sale that had women toting large laundry baskets to carry their goods, Gail was “blown away” by what she saw. She says many people suggested she bring this type of event to LI. Gail, the vice president of client services for a direct marketing firm, says, “I can’t do anything small.”

TKK’s first sale in April 2008 was a huge success, followed by another in October that had more than 200 consigners and 17,000 items.  “Women were on their cell phones calling their friends and telling them, ‘You have to come here,’” Gail says. “People came from all over the place. I had consignors from Queens to the Hamptons.”

TKK sells quality clothing in sizes from newborn to 16, as well as toys, games, books, baby equipment and furniture, room décor, outdoor play equipment and maternity clothing. “It’s all top quality. Everything is pre-checked. There is no wear and tear and everything is in excellent condition. We even count the pieces of each puzzle,” Gail says.

With TKK’s third event coming April 24, 25 and 26 to the Deer Park Community Center, the sale has tripled in size in just one year. Gail says the growth for the consignment industry in New York is fairly unprecedented. She has amassed an army of 100 volunteers—mostly mothers who help organize, set up and run the sale and are rewarded with a coveted pre-show pass in return for their services. If you don’t have time to go through your child’s closet, Gail can assign a merchandise coordinator who will do the work for you. The coordinator then gets 25 percent of what is sold.

The much-anticipated VIP pre-sale on April 24 is reserved for volunteers, first-time parents and military families. Gail explains that the sale is set up like a retail store with the clothing hung neatly on racks and individually tagged. “Everything is extremely organized,” she says.

TKK also sponsors a community give-back program that donates 5 percent of purchases to local schools or organizations that have signed up to participate. Afterward, unsold items are donated to not-for-profits. “Everything stays locally,” Gail says.

Like shoppers, consignors are also very pleased with this arrangement. TKK’s state-of-the-art software allows consigners to go online to see exactly what has been sold and how much money they’ve made. Gail mails out the consignors’ checks the day after the sale. It’s another way to help struggling families find some extra money (some as much as $1,000, Gail says).

Gail is filling a need for many Long Islanders. “People can benefit from [the sale],” she says. “I’ve always believed in the concept of resale, recycle and helping the community and thought this would be a great way to bring all three elements together in a positive way.”

Any local organization that is interested in receiving unsold sale items, please contact Gail at 631-838-7914 or go to www.thekidskloset.com.

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