Baby Boomerang Consignment Shop Offers Customers Variety

Fisher-Price trucks. Plastic doll houses. Brightly-colored baby books and two-sided puzzles.

Since opening in 1992, customers have stopped by in a constant stream to snag the kid-friendly goods at Baby Boomerang, a baby and children’s consignment shop at 2902 W. Kennedy Boulevard.

Owner Mindy Socher, married with five kids of her own, has run the business out of a house for the past 14 years.

We talked to her about what makes her business different than others and why she opened her doors two decades ago.

On why she opened her doors: I used to say I wanted 10 children. I didn’t, but I have five of my own. My parents liked to go get antiques, and they'd see baby stuff. I was working at Ch. 13 graduating from UT. I decided just to do this. I looked around to see if there was any, and there was only one out on Nebraska. When I went in, she was smoking, and I said, I can do a better job. One day I opened the doors, and have been doing well ever since.

On how she gets inventory: People bring things in, and we sell it for them. They get half of whatever it sells for. There's no fee or service charge. I am pretty picky about what I take. I won't take anything from Target or Kmart. It has to be name brand.

The most popular items in the store: Everyone can buy clothes, but probably toys. Your educational toys for babies. Bassinets, since they're in them for such a short period of time. I only go up to age 6.

What sets her shop apart from others: I was the first one. I opened and I am still here. People open them, close them, sell them. Switch owners. I love the location, and the character of my house. It's not a strip mall store. It might creak and rattle.

Often, if someone brings something in, if it smells like smoke or they didn’t clean it, I won't take it. It has to be clean, or I won't take it.

To reach the shop, call 813-879-2146 or go to www.babyboomerangfl.com.