ECON OMY
HERE AND NOW
Out Of This World
New local boutiques, businesses and brands
you may not know — but should.
By Lynne Konstantin
r
am Feldman, the brand-new owner of Royal
Oak's Kids Planet, has spent her life "doing"for
others: as a social worker, as a soldier in the
Israel Defense Forces and as a mom of three — for
whom she shops almost exclusively resale.
And now the world:"Recycling the planet, one
outfit at a time;'she says.
It was a dream come true for the Hillel Day
School and Haifa University graduate and garage
sale-aholic to open her own children's resale
boutique.
"My mom always shopped resale for us,"says
Feldman."She always made sure we were dressed
in the best brand names —just resale. And for
years, I've loved going to garage sales and rum-
mage sales. I started buying and selling on eBay
and Craigslist and realized I love this — and I'm
really good at this."
Opened almost two years ago, Kids Planet's
previous owner was ready to hand over the reins
just as Feldman had decided to really make a go
of her passion. After months of researching for a
business plan, Feldman was hunt-
ing for store fixtures on Craigslist
and came across an ad for this store
— which she knew from scouting
out the competition.
"It was truly besheret"says Feld-
man. She spent a month shadowing the owner
in the shop and celebrated her grand re-opening
in early August (while still working part-time at
Henry Ford Hospital).
"In addition to the belief that there is just too
much waste of products — food, clothes, every-
thing — I truly enjoy the hunt of finding what I
really want at a fraction of the cost. And I'm so
excited to put my talent to use for others who feel
the same, but may not have the patience to find
the best quality for the best price. Now I can do it
for them."
Kids Planet offers high-quality, super adorable
and stylish used and new children's clothing from
infant to size 12, wooden and educational toys
and gear, including everything from gently used
best-selling baby carriers to a new line of kids'
dish sets made from recycled milk jugs to chic
vintage items, like a 1958 highchair.
"I think the recent recession made people think
about being less wasteful and more aware of the
value of things;' Feldman says. "Instead of tear-
ing down homes, people are restoring. Instead
of throwing away furniture, they are upcycling.
Instead of buying a new Abercrombie shirt for
$50, they can come to my store and get a gently
used one of $6!"
Kids Planet, 210 W. Sixth St., Royal Oak (248-325-6023;
kidsplanetresale.com). Items that cannot be consigned due
to slight wear fill a donation basket; each item is a S1 dona-
tion to a local charity that changes monthly.
THE BUZZ
Head Of The Class
Our favorite shopping picks for women,
men, kids, the home and more.
ti
By Lynne Konstantin
ead-to-toe hip for
back to school.
Girls Stadium-Cloth Moto Jacket in Navy
($188), Girls Boatneck Tunic in Navy Stripe
($42.50), Girls Garment-Dyed Stretch Tooth-
pick Cord in Brilliant Fuchsia ($52.50) and
Girls Classic Cap-Toe Ballet Flats in Pinot Noir
($58), all at Crewcuts (Somerset Collection,
Troy; 248-649-2739; jcrew.com ).
Tucker +Tate Denim
Jacket in Caitlin Wash
($60), Modern Lux
Nerdvana Graphic Tee
in Black ($26), Tucker +
Tate Cameron Skirt in
Navy Smudgedot ($34),
Nordstrom Polka Pet Knee
High Socks in Pink ($12)
and Steve Madden Troopa
Boot in Black ($69.95), all
at area Nordstrom stores
(nordstrom.com ).
Pink Striped
Heart
Sweatshirt
($38), at
Love Child,
Franklin
(248-757
2948; face-
book.com/
lovechild-
kids).
440
In Deux Trois Pleather Sleeve
Dolman Top ($54), at Guys
N Gals, West Bloomfield
(248-851-1260; facebook.
com/pages/Guys-N-
Gals/109048825851118).
60 September 2013 I
RED THRUM
Boys Tow-Button Blazer
in Navy Wool ($158),
Boys Later Gator Tee in
Havana Blue ($24.50),
Boys Vintage Cord in
Slim Fit in Regal Blue
($49.50), Kids Oiled
MacAlister Boots in
Classic Brown ($95)
and Fjallraven Classic
Kanken Backpack
in Moss ($75), all at
Crewcuts (Somerset
Collection, Troy; 248-
649-2739; jcrew.com ).
46'
Colour Pop Sweater in Saffron
($54) and Trapper Hat in Khaki
($30), both at Johnnie B
(bodenusa.com ).
Tea Collection Colorblock Twirl Dress
in Fruit Punch ($35), at Restyle Child,
Birmingham (248-792-9347;
restylechild.com ); Glitter Desert
Boots in Blackcurrant ($50), at Mini
Boden (bodenusa.com ).
www.redthreadmagazine.com